Thursday, 15 February 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the newly constructed terminal building phase II at Dehradun airport Jollygrant on Wednesday. The union civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia attended the ceremony in a virtual mode. In the second phase the terminal of the airport was given an extension of 14,000 square meters. The airport terminal will now cover an area of 42,000 square meters. Speaking on the occasion the CM expressed gratitude to the union civil aviation minister and said that the civil aviation sector is moving ahead at a fast pace under his leadership. He said that in the last few years the air services have been very popular among people and it has been made possible by the long term vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that efforts are being made to provide low cost air services to the people due to which more revenue is being earned by the State. He said that under the ‘ Ude Bharat ka har nagrik’ scheme air services are being made available to the distant areas of the state. Under this scheme 13 heliports are being constructed in the State. Dhami said that Uttarakhand is an important State for religious tourism and the State government is making efforts to provide best facilities to the tourists and pilgrims. The air services can play an important role in this.
The CM said that consistent efforts are being made to develop the Dehradun airport into international standards. Similar effort is being made for the Pantnagar airport. He said that recently Dehradun- Pithoragarh air service has started. The government is also planning to make the Dehradun- Almora- Pithoragarh Heli services daily. Dhami said that the number of pilgrims visiting Jageshwar and Adi Kailash have increased after the recent visit of PM Modi. The CM added that the government is also planning to start a joy ride service and Himalaya Darshan service which will give more impetus to tourism in the State.
In his address the civil aviation minister Scindia recalled his past association with the State. He said that air service to 13 cities of the country is now available from Dehradun airport. He said that the process has started for commencement of the Pithoragarh- Hindan air service. Scindia said that use of helicopters for emergency medical service will also start from Uttarakhand and for this helicopter will be made available at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Rishikesh.
He said that the civil aviation ministry has taken an initiative to develop Dehradun, Pantnagar and Pithoragarh airports in Uttarakhand. In the year 2014 the state had only one heliport which now has increased to 10. Under UDAN 5.0 scheme 21 heliports will be constructed.
Former chief minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, MLA Brij Bhushan Gairola and others attended the programme.
