Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami sat down with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Friday to push for better aviation infrastructure in the state. Their key focus? Boosting air connectivity and restarting helicopter services for the popular Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage.
Dhami praised the government’s smart move of installing self-service kiosks under the “House of Himalayas” brand at airports. These kiosks are putting Uttarakhand’s local products in the spotlight on national and international stages, giving a big lift to the state’s economy.
The meeting highlighted ongoing teamwork between central and state departments to make these aviation upgrades happen smoothly. Dhami stressed how vital air links are for Uttarakhand, where 70% of the land is covered in forests. In the hilly districts, strong air connectivity doesn’t just help tourists and travelers—it plays a huge role in disaster management too.
He specifically asked for airstrips at Gauchar in Chamoli and Chinyalisaur in Uttarkashi to handle small aircraft. Linking these to Delhi, Dehradun, and Hindon airports would make the Char Dham Yatra easier and ensure quick delivery of essential goods to remote hill areas.
Dhami also urged the minister to greenlight night flights at Jolly Grant Airport. This would let the airport serve way more passengers and cut down travel hassles. On Pantnagar Airport’s expansion, he noted that the state has already wrapped up most of the groundwork. He pressed the Airports Authority of India to start construction soon.
Wrapping up, Dhami requested faster approval for a direct Delhi-Pithoragarh flight under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme. He pointed out its benefits for tourism, plus its strategic value and help in humanitarian efforts during emergencies.
The Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister for the solid support in Uttarakhand’s aviation sector, showing a promising path ahead for the state’s skies.
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