Lucknow | In a country where social mobility is often constrained by circumstances of birth, the story of Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma stands out as a rare and powerful testament to grit, persistence, and the courage to dream beyond limitations. From driving tempos on the crowded streets of Kanpur to founding Uttar Pradesh’s first home-grown airline, Vishwakarma’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Born into a middle-class family in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma grew up in an environment where survival took precedence over ambition. Academic excellence was never the focus; instead, earning a livelihood at the earliest opportunity was considered sufficient. In such circumstances, dreaming big felt like a luxury he could scarcely afford.
As a young man, Vishwakarma took on multiple odd jobs to support himself. He worked as a loader, drove tempos and autos, and navigated the relentless pace of urban transport life. Along the way, he experimented with small business ventures alongside acquaintances, many of which failed. These early setbacks, however, became lessons in resilience rather than deterrents.
Reflecting on those years, Vishwakarma once remarked that someone who rises from the bottom gains a unique perspective on life—seeing every mode of transport, from bicycles to buses, trains, and tempos—not just as vehicles, but as lifelines.
Entry into Business and the First Breakthrough
A turning point came in 2014, when Vishwakarma entered the cement trading business. This marked his transition from daily wage labor to entrepreneurship. The venture proved successful, offering him financial stability for the first time. Encouraged by this success, he diversified into TMT steel (rebar), which became a major profit driver.
With growing confidence and capital, he expanded further into mining and transport logistics. Over time, he built a formidable fleet of more than 400 trucks, creating a robust logistics backbone for his businesses. These ventures were not the result of a single grand strategy but evolved organically, with each step building upon the last.
Remarkably, even as his businesses were scaling up, Vishwakarma continued to remain closely connected to his roots. Around 2019, at the age of 35, he was still personally involved in tempo driving, even as his enterprises were steadily transforming his financial and social standing.
Rapid Expansion and Diversification
What distinguishes Vishwakarma’s rise is not just the scale of his success, but the speed with which it unfolded. In less than a decade, he transformed a modest cement trading operation into a diversified conglomerate spanning steel, mining, and heavy transport.
In 2022, he formalized his growing empire by establishing Shankh Agencies Private Limited as the parent company for his ventures. His transport business, generating strong cash flows without excessive reliance on debt, became the financial engine that enabled further expansion.
Throughout this journey, Vishwakarma faced skepticism and social judgment. Yet, he consistently emphasized the importance of mindset over background. He has often said that people should stop worrying about societal opinions, asserting that if someone who once drove a tempo can run an airline, others too can move ahead—the difference lies only in belief and determination.
Founding Shankh Air: The Pinnacle of Ambition
The idea of launching an airline took shape around 2022, inspired by Vishwakarma’s lifelong association with transport. To him, aviation was simply another mode of connectivity—no different in spirit from buses or tempos, but faster and more efficient.
Determined to turn this vision into reality, he immersed himself in understanding the aviation sector. He navigated regulatory complexities, engaged with policymakers, and successfully obtained a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry. Under his leadership as Chairman and Managing Director, Shankh Air was founded under the banner of Shankh Aviation, named after his trading firm and the culturally significant conch shell symbolizing auspicious beginnings.
Shankh Air has since achieved key regulatory milestones and engaged closely with the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline is positioned as Uttar Pradesh’s first home-grown carrier, with a mission to democratize air travel for middle-class and first-time flyers.
Taking Off in 2026
Shankh Air is slated to commence operations in the first half of January 2026 with an initial fleet of three Airbus aircraft, currently undergoing technical reviews. Operations will be based out of Lucknow, connecting major metros such as Delhi and Mumbai, along with other key destinations within Uttar Pradesh.
The airline has ambitious growth plans, aiming to expand its fleet to 20–25 aircraft within the next two to three years and explore international routes by 2028 or 2029. Notably, the venture is fully funded by the parent company, with aircraft acquired on lease, ensuring financial stability without excessive borrowing.
Rather than competing head-on with established aviation giants, Shankh Air seeks to carve a niche by focusing on affordability, regional connectivity, and accessibility—treating air travel as a practical means of transport rather than an exclusive luxury.
Legacy and Inspiration
Shravan Kumar Vishwakarma’s journey from a tempo driver to an aviation entrepreneur encapsulates the transformative power of perseverance. His story challenges conventional narratives about success, proving that humble origins need not limit grand ambitions.
As Shankh Air prepares for take-off, it represents more than a personal milestone. It signals new opportunities for regional connectivity, economic growth, and employment in Uttar Pradesh. Above all, it stands as an enduring source of inspiration for countless individuals who dare to believe that no dream is too distant—provided one has the courage to pursue it.
