The Uttarakhand Government has initiated plans to establish its own Aviation Academy as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s aviation infrastructure and improve regional air connectivity. During a review meeting of the Civil Aviation Department at the Secretariat on Wednesday, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan directed officials to begin the necessary procedures for setting up the academy at Parag Farm in Udham Singh Nagar.
Reviewing the state’s aviation network, the Chief Secretary stressed the need to expand helicopter infrastructure by saturating Uttarakhand with heliports and helipads, describing them as a lifeline for the hill state. He instructed officials to connect Dehradun with all district headquarters through regular air services and directed that Pauri district also be brought under regular air connectivity.
He also asked officials to explore the feasibility of providing air connectivity to Lansdowne, noting that the hill station is one of Uttarakhand’s major tourist destinations and could benefit significantly from improved transportation.
To strengthen aviation safety, the Chief Secretary directed that all formalities for establishing Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities at Badrinath and Kedarnath be completed at the earliest. Under the proposed arrangement, the state government will undertake the civil works, while the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will provide technical support and manpower. He further instructed the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) to work towards expanding ATC coverage across the state in coordination with AAI.
Emphasising safer flight operations, Bardhan also called for the installation of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) and PTZ surveillance cameras at aviation facilities across Uttarakhand. Officials have been directed to coordinate with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to expedite the process.
The Chief Secretary further instructed the department to improve air connectivity in remote and underserved regions by developing additional heliports and helipads. Keeping in view the rising tourist footfall, he also asked officials to examine the feasibility of establishing an airstrip or heliport at Gunji and Adi Kailash.
Highlighting the ongoing expansion of Pantnagar Airport, Bardhan said a comprehensive connectivity plan should be prepared for the Kumaon region. He also directed officials to propose new air routes for all districts under the Central Government’s UDAN 2.0 regional connectivity scheme.
