Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia in New Delhi and discussed in detail about air connectivity in the state. Chief Minister Dhami said that there is a need for fixed wing connectivity in Pithoragarh. At present, the process of selection of airlines for three air routes Pithoragarh-Pantnagar, Pithoragarh-Hindon and Pithoragarh-Dehradun is in progress under the Regional Connectivity Scheme.
On the request of Chief Minister Dhami, the Union Minister directed the officials of his ministry that by September 30, 2022, work order should be issued to the airlines at the level of Civil Aviation Ministry in this regard so that further action can be taken to establish the connectivity of Pithoragarh.
Chief Minister Dhami said that it has been proposed by the State Government that considering the strategic importance of Naini Saini Airport, it should be upgraded from 2B to 3C and handed over to Airport Authority of India for independent management.
It was decided on the above subject that the Airport Authority of India and the Government of Uttarakhand will prepare the service conditions of the MoU without delay so that a decision can be taken in this regard soon.
Chief Minister Dhami was requested to direct Pawan Hans for smooth operation of heli service to Pithoragarh under Regional Connectivity Scheme and to connect Almora with heli service.
On the said subject, the Union Minister directed the officers of the Ministry that action should be taken regarding regular service from the Ministry of Civil Aviation in relation to providing air service of Pawan Hans every day from August 26, 2022.
Chief Minister Dhami said that to improve the air connectivity of Kumaon, a green field airport is proposed at Pantnagar. Chief Minister Dhami requested to conduct an OLS survey of the new alignment proposed by the State Government for the expansion of Pantnagar Airport.
In this regard, the Union Minister said that by November 30, 2022, instructions for OLS survey related to the project have been given to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, along with instructions to prepare DPRs of two small airports Gauchar and Chinyalisaud.
Chief Minister Dhami asked the Union Minister to make Dehradun as well as Pantnagar airport an airport of international level.
On this occasion Chairman Airport Authority of India Sanjeev Kumar, Additional Secretary Civil Aviation, Government of India Usha Padi, Secretary Chief Minister Shailesh Bagoli, Secretary Civil Aviation Dilip Jawalkar were present.
Read more latest Uttarakhand News