Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu on Tuesday to discuss the expansion of aviation infrastructure and connectivity in the state. The meeting focused on improving air services to support tourism and facilitate local transportation.
The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that the Uttarakhand government has transferred 524.78 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to extend Pantnagar Airport’s runway from 1,372 meters to 3,000 meters. AAI has already prepared the master plan for the airport, and Dhami requested expedited commencement of the project.
He also urged the minister to support the expansion of Jolly Grant Airport and allow nighttime operations until midnight, enabling more passengers to benefit from air travel.
Under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, CM Dhami proposed the launch of regular flights from Naini Saini Airport (Pithoragarh) to Delhi’s IGI Airport. He also emphasized initiating air services from Pithoragarh to Dharchula and Munsyari to improve local accessibility. To support nighttime operations at Naini Saini, he suggested extending watch hours. Highlighting the strategic importance of Pithoragarh, which borders Tibet (China) and Nepal, Dhami stressed the necessity of robust air connectivity.
The Chief Minister requested that ‘House of Himalayas’ stalls be set up at Dehradun, Pithoragarh, and Pantnagar airports to promote local products. Additionally, he sought the launch of direct flights between Dehradun-Haldwani, Dehradun-Pantnagar, and Dehradun-Nagpur, and international flight operations from Jolly Grant Airport.
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CM Dhami also urged the Civil Aviation Ministry to initiate work for flight operations from Chinyalisour and Gauchar airstrips.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu assured positive consideration and prompt action on all the proposals presented.
