Dehradun: In the review meeting of the game changer schemes of the Civil Aviation Department held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that it is necessary to expand the network of air services to facilitate movement to remote areas in the state, along with this, safety standards should also be strictly followed in air services. Along with making efforts to promote aero sports in Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister also directed to start regular charter service for Char Dhams.
In the meeting, Secretary Civil Aviation Sachin Kurve informed that a new flying training school is being set up in Pantnagar for pilot training. This center is an important step to meet the growing demand for trained pilots in the civil aviation sector. To make air traffic more secure, digital mapping capacity is being developed in collaboration with ISRO. Under the Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme through UCADA, preparations are being made to start shuttle service between Dehradun- Joshimath, Joshimath- Badrinath and air service between Pithoragarh- Dharchula and Pithoragarh- Munsyari. Similarly, there is a plan to start direct helicopter service from Gunji to promote pilgrimage and tourism activities in the Adi Kailash area. To strengthen the Kedarnath heli service, additional helipads are being built near Garudchatti.
It was informed in the meeting that work related to the expansion of Pantnagar and Jolly Grant airports is being done. Pantnagar airport expansion work is expected to be completed by 2027-28. Similarly, Jolly Grant Airport is being developed as per international standards by the year 2026. Keeping in mind the needs and tourism development possibilities of Gunji, Munsyari, Adi Kailash region, Pithoragarh airstrip is being developed as a regional hub center. There is also a plan to build new helipads in border areas with the help of Indian Army.
Vice Chairman of Infrastructure Monitoring Council Vishwas Dabur, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary R.K. Sudhanshu, R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Sachin Kurve, UCADA Chief Executive Officer Ashish Chauhan, Additional Secretary Vineet Kumar, UCADA Additional Chief Executive Officer Sanjay Tolia and related officers were present in the meeting.
