Lucknow, Sep 4 (IANS): The Uttar Pradesh government has cleared the decks for improved air connectivity in four cities, officials said Wednesday.

A state cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav Tuesday decided that air strips at Moradabad, Faizabad, Meerut and Saifai be handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The AAI would enhance connectivity in western Uttar Pradesh through the Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar air strip at Partapur in Meerut and would also prepare a "civil schedule" for small planes.

Based on requirement, the state government will provide extra land free of cost to the AAI for extension and upgradation of air strips at Faizabad and Moradabad, an official told IANS.

The funds required for this work would be sought through supplementary budget grants in the forthcoming session of the state assembly.

The Saifai air strip is already in good shape and the state government proposes to put it on the mainstream air map as this is located in the village of the chief minister.