Chief Minister discussed with Union Minister on expansion of air services in Uttarakhand

Resumption of heli service will facilitate Chardham Yatra

Requested to start night air service in Jolly Grant

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and discussed in detail important topics related to development of aviation sector in the state, improvement in air connectivity and giving new impetus to tourism.

The Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister on behalf of the people of the state for the support received by the state in the aviation sector. He especially praised the initiative of the Self Service Center (kiosk) set up under the umbrella brand 'House of Himalayas' to promote local products at the airports of the state, due to which local products have got recognition on the national and international platform.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister of the plan to restart heli services for Chardham Yatra as soon as the monsoon ends in the state. These services are very important especially for the elderly, disabled and disabled devotees. Coordination is going on between the concerned departments of the State Government and the Central Government in this regard. In a high-level meeting held on 01 September, many important suggestions were received for the operation of heli services. The Chief Minister said that resumption of heli services while ensuring the safety of the pilgrims will make the journey smooth and reduce the pressure on the roads.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Minister that more than 70 percent of the state's area is covered with forests. He informed that air connectivity in the hill districts is not only necessary, but is also very important from the point of view of tourism, civil transport and disaster management. The Chief Minister requested to develop the Gauchar (Chamoli) and Chinyalisaur (Uttarkashi) airstrips for small aircraft operations and connect them with Delhi, Dehradun and Hindon. This will increase the convenience of Chardham Yatra and facilitate the supply of essential goods in the hilly areas. A request was made to operate night air service at Jolly Grant

Airport, so that more passengers can avail the benefit of air service. The Chief Minister also discussed the expansion of Pantnagar Airport and informed that most of the necessary works have been completed by the state government. He requested to direct the Airports Authority of India to start the work soon.

The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to start direct air service from Delhi to Pithoragarh under the Regional Connectivity Scheme and said that the air service will prove beneficial from the strategic and humanitarian point of view along with tourism in the state. The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to inspect the Chinyalisaur and Gauchar airstrips and start action to start the air service.

The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to give priority to the above proposals and issue necessary guidelines soon. The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister of positive action on all the proposals.

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