CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed to expedite the under-construction projects of the Civil Aviation Department and give top priority to safety standards in the operation of heli services in the state. At a review meeting of the gamechanger schemes of the Civil Aviation Department held at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that in order to facilitate movement to remote areas in the state, it is necessary to increase the network of air services, along with strict adherence to safety standards in air services.
The Chief Minister also directed to start regular charter services to Char Dham as efforts are being made to promote aerosports in Uttarakhand. Secretary Civil Aviation Shri Sachin Kurve informed the meeting that a new Flying Training School is being set up at Pantnagar for pilot training. This centre is an important step in meeting the growing demand for trained pilots in the civil aviation sector.
Digital mapping capability is being developed in collaboration with ISRO to make Wi-Fi traffic safer. Under the Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme through UCODA, preparations are being made to start shuttle service between Dehradun Joshimath, Joshimath Badrinath and air service between Pithoragarh Dharchula and Pithoragarh Munsiyari. Similarly, there is a plan to start direct helicopter service from Gunji to promote pilgrimage and tourism activities in Adi Kailash area. In order to strengthen the Kedarnath Heli Service, an additional helipad is being constructed near Garudchatti. It was informed in the meeting that work related to the expansion of Pantnagar and Jollygrant airports is being done. The Pantnagar Airport expansion work is expected to be completed by 202728. Similarly, Jolly Grant Airport is being developed as per international standards by the year 2026. Keeping in view the requirements of Gunji, Munsiyari, Adi Kailash area and the possibilities of tourism development, Pithoragarh airstrip is being developed as a regional hub centre.
There are also plans to build new helipads in the border areas with the help of the Indian Army. The meeting was attended by Vice Chairman Infrastructure Monitoring Council Mr. Vishwas Dabar, Chief Secretary Mr. Anand Vardhan, Principal Secretaries Mr. R. K. Sudhanshu, Mr. R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Secretary Mr. Sachin Kurve, CEO of UCADA Mr. Ashish Chauhan, Additional Secretary Mr. Vineet Kumar, Additional CEO of UCADA Mr. Sanjay Tolia and concerned officers. Department of Information and Public Relations