PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Rudrapur
While presiding over a meeting of the Airport Advisory Committee in Pantnagar on Wednesday, the Member of Parliament Ajay Bhatt asked the executing agencies engaged in Pantnagar Airport expansion work to provide maximum facilities to the passengers and strengthen security. Stressing on the point that Pantnagar Airport is being operated by the Centre, Uttarakhand Government and Airport Authority of India under the Regional Connectivity Scheme UDAN, he asked all the stakeholders in the expansion work to make appropriate arrangements in view of the possibility of huge movement of tourists and others. “Once this happens the economy of the region as well as the State will be further boosted,” he added.
In the meeting, the chief development officer, Divesh Shashani informed that 524.70 acres of land has been allotted to AAI for the expansion of Pantnagar Airport. Besides, demolition of buildings and cutting of trees is being done on the land allotted to the airport belonging to Terai Development Corporation, Pantnagar University and Sainik Firm among others.
The director of Pantnagar Airport, Pawan Kumar said that boundary construction work has begun for the airport expansion. A 3,000-meter runway and a new terminal are being built according to international standards. Along with these, a hangar, ILS facility and cargo hold would be constructed, he said. He also stated that ATMs, car parking, taxi retail counters and WiFi facilities would be installed too to provide passenger convenience. Moreover, helpdesks, first aid and ambulance facilities have also been provided for passengers.
He further stated that currently, only 20 personnel are deployed for security at the airport against 75 allotted posts. He requested Bhatt to ensure that the vacant posts are filled at the earliest. Bhatt assured to take up the matter with appropriate authorities.
