Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur called on Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu in New Delhi on Thursday and requested for expediting the formalities for the early launch of UDAAN – 2 projects in Himachal Pradesh.
He said that connectivity is a major issue in the state and air connectivity is vital for boosting the tourism sector.
He apprised the Union Minister that there was huge delay in submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and completion of other formalities in UDAAN – 2 project and requested for making stop-gap entry arrangements for starting helicopter services by operating intervening helipads for providing connectivity between Chandigarh – Baddi/Kasauli – Shimla – Kullu – Dharamshala.
The Chief Minister also took up the matter of international airport at Mandi and conducting Obstacles Limitation Survey at the earliest for hastening the process for further clearances. He also urged for looking into providing technical solutions for expansion of Shimla airstrip for facilitating bigger air-crafts.
Suresh Prabhu assured of conducting Obstacles Limitation Survey at the earliest and directed the officers of the Ministry to work out an immediate solution for executing stop gap entry arrangements and speedy launch of UDAAN – 2.