Maa Mahamaya Airport

Maa Mahamaya Airport Ambikapur sits 13 kilometres south of Ambikapur town, near the villages of Darima and Motipur in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district. Operated by the Airports Authority of India, this regional airport handles limited commercial flights connecting the northern hill region of the state to Delhi and Kolkata. Its single terminal processes a few hundred passengers daily, making it one of the quieter airports in central India – and one that rewards travellers who plan ahead.

Getting There

Ambikapur town, the district headquarters of Surguja, is the main gateway to the airport. The drive from central Ambikapur to the terminal takes about 20 minutes along State Highway 9, a two-lane road that passes through forested stretches and small hamlets. Shared jeeps and auto-rickshaws operate from the Ambikapur bus stand; expect to pay around 200-300 INR for a one-way trip. Taxis are available for hire from the town centre or from the major hotels – the Hotel Ambikapur Palace and Hotel Rajdeep are reliable places to arrange one. For those driving, the airport has a modest unpaved car park that can hold about 50 vehicles. No public bus service directly reaches the airport; the nearest bus stop is at Darima village, 2 kilometres east, from where an auto-rickshaw is the only option. If you are arriving from other parts of Chhattisgarh or neighbouring Jharkhand, the nearest railway station is Ambikapur (code ABKP) on the Ambikapur-Anuppur line, about 15 kilometres from the airport. From the station, an auto-rickshaw is the most practical choice, costing 150-200 INR. Plan for a minimum of 30 minutes to cover this distance, more during the monsoon season when roads can become slippery.

Inside the Terminal

The terminal at Maa Mahamaya Airport is a single-storey building with a functional, no-frills layout. Upon arrival, passengers walk directly from the apron into a small baggage claim area with one carousel. Departures consist of a check-in hall with four counters, a security check point, and a waiting lounge with about 60 plastic seats. The airport is confirmed to have wheelchair-accessible entrances, car parking spaces, and toilets, including a dedicated accessible toilet – a notable feature for a regional facility. However, travellers should be aware that there are no jet bridges; all boarding and deplaning is done by walking across the tarmac. The atmosphere is calm, with staff often outnumbering passengers during off-peak hours. The busiest times reported are Monday at 9 pm, Tuesday at 3 pm, Wednesday at 10 am, and Thursday at 10 pm – likely coinciding with flight arrivals and departures to Delhi and Kolkata. Delays are not uncommon, particularly in foggy winter mornings, so carry snacks and water as the terminal has no food outlet beyond a small vending machine for drinks. Free Wi-Fi is not available; mobile data reception inside the terminal is patchy, though BSNL and Jio work reasonably well. The entire process from kerb to gate can take as little as 20 minutes, but allow at least 45 minutes during busy periods.

Maa Mahamaya Airport and Darima, Motipur

The airport's location between Darima and Motipur places it in a region that few travellers would otherwise encounter. Darima and Motipur are agricultural villages typical of the Surguja plateau – red-soil fields, scattered sal forests, and households that rely on rice, pulses, and seasonal vegetables. The airport itself has become a point of reference for these communities, providing not just transport but also employment for ground staff, security, and maintenance workers. Beyond the runway, the wider Surguja district is one of Chhattisgarh's most historically layered areas. The Ramgarh hills, a short drive from the airport, contain ancient rock paintings and inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century BC. The region was once part of the ancient kingdom of Kalinga, and later came under the rule of the Nagvanshi and the Surguja royal family. Ambikapur town, 13 kilometres north, has a colonial-era palace (now the divisional commissioner's office) and a bustling market known for its tribal handicrafts, particularly bamboo baskets and terracotta items. For nature enthusiasts, the nearby Guru Ghasidas National Park – about 40 kilometres east – is a protected area home to tigers, leopards, and the rare Indian wolf. The park's core zone is accessible with a permit from the forest office in Ambikapur. Culturally, the region is dominated by the Oraon and Gond tribes, whose festivals of Karma, Sohrai, and Bhagoria fill the calendar with music, dance, and ritual. Travellers who arrive at Maa Mahamaya Airport are often en route to these attractions, or to the many waterfalls – such as the Tirathgarh Falls in the Kanger Valley National Park, about 100 kilometres away. The airport, modest as it is, serves as a practical entry point for exploring this corner of India that remains off the typical tourist trail. Its existence has gradually made Surguja more accessible, though the infrastructure still expects self-reliant visitors.

Practical Information

Maa Mahamaya Airport Ambikapur is not open every day. The terminal operates only on days with scheduled flights – currently a few days per week, typically Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, but schedules change seasonally. Confirm flight status before travelling. The airport contact number is +91 11 2463 2950, which connects to the Airports Authority of India's regional office; it is not a direct line to the Ambikapur terminal. No official website exists for the airport. Travelers with reduced mobility will find the facility largely accessible, but are advised to inform their airline in advance as assistance staff may not always be present. Cash is essential: there is no ATM inside the terminal, and card payments are not accepted at the small vending machine. The nearest ATMs are in Ambikapur town, so withdraw before heading to the airport. Security allows only one carry-on bag plus a personal item; check-in luggage is strictly weighed, so avoid exceeding the 15 kg limit common on regional flights. Finally, a concrete tip: if you are flying out of Ambikapur, arrange your transport back to town before landing – the taxi stand outside the terminal is reliable but often empty, and a pre-booked ride saves a long wait under the sun.