The Lok Sabha today passed the demand for grants for the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Tourism. Replying to the debate, Minister for Civil Aviation Ashok Gajhapathi Raju said, aviation sector in India has grown by 21 percent this year and it is ninth in the world and would become third by 2022. He said, it would require upgradation of airports and other facilities to make air travel affordable for masses. <br/><br/>He said, steps are also being taken to check rise in the air fare. The Minister said, the Budget proposals as well as the Draft Civil Aviation Policy lay focus on regional connectivity with an aim of providing affordable aviation services in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. He said, it is proposed to partner with states to revive some of the 160 airstrips owned by them as also to develop 10 out of 25 non-functional airstrips with the Airport Authority of India. <br/><br/>Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Sharma said, efforts are being made to make India a safe and attractive tourism destination. He said , a helpline 1363 has been launched for foreign tourists, e-visa facilities have been initiated and 35 monuments are being developed for model tourism. Besides, tourism destinations are being linked by air and train transport facilities.