Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Monday directed the officers to speed up the construction works for five heliports in the State.
“The work for heliports at Kangnidhar in Mandi district, SASE (Manali) in Kullu district, Baddi in Solan district and Shimla and Rampur in Shimla district should be expedited so that the people could take benefits of these at the earliest besides felicitating the tourists,” the Chief Minister said while presiding over a meeting regarding development of heliports under RCS UDAN-2 here. Thakur said that the State Government had already awarded the works of Kangnidhar, Baddi and Rampur heliports while works on Shimla and SASE (Manali) heliports are nearing completion.
He directed the executing agencies for completion of all these heliports within a stipulated time period as these would not only provide better facilities to high end tourists but would also give new fillip to the tourism activities.
He said that the State Government would provide required security for the proposed heliports as per the requirements of Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Additional land had been identified for Baddi heliport for additional FATO (final approach and take-off areas) and bigger passenger terminal buildings. Being situated in the industrial belt of the state, this heliport would facilitate the entrepreneurs visiting this area. The heliport is also of immense importance as it is situated near Chandigarh International Airport, the Chief Minister said.
Thakur said that the State Government also intends to construct three new FATOs at Kangnidhar while two FATOs had already been constructed. These FATOs would be used for helicopter parking and also for the visit of VVIPs as per their visit protocols.
He said that the State Government had already carried geo-technical study and structure consultancy for stabilisation of cutting works at Kangnidhar.
The work on Shimla heliport is nearing completion and trial landing had been carried out on this heliport, said the Chief Minister adding that the State Government intended to complete this heliport at the earliest so that helicopter operation could be started under RCS UDAN-2.
He further said that this heliport being situated in the heart of the city would become popular amongst the tourists visiting the State Capital.
The State Government had taken up the matter regarding use of SASE heliport under UDAN-2 with the Union Ministry of Defence. The issue regarding providing basic facilities like passenger terminal building etc. had been taken with the SASE and DRDO authorities, he added.
He also said that all the existing airports at Shimla, Kangra and Kullu are being expanded to facilitate landing of bigger aeroplanes. The runway of Shimla airport would be increased by another 300 meters which would facilitate landing and take-off of bigger aeroplanes. This would provide better air connectivity to the state capital, he said.
The Chief Minister said that OLS study by Airport Authority of India found Nagchala site in Mandi district feasible for construction of greenfield airport. The Government would now be carrying out LIDAR survey for this proposed airport through WAPCOS. This airport on completion would go a long way in promoting tourism in Himachal Pradesh, he said.
Thakur also urged the Pawan Hans Limited to depute a technical team at Shimla to expedite construction of all these heliports. The company should also submit an operational and management plan for the heliports under UDAN-2, he added.
He further urged for resuming Alliance air flight service on Delhi-Shimla-Delhi route under UDAN-1 besides ensuring regular flights.
During the meeting, Secretary, Tourism Devesh Kumar assured the Chief Minister that efforts would be ensured for time-bound completion of all these heliports in the State.
