Himachal HC pulls up authorities over irregular flights in State
Shimla, Nov 14,
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Thursday pulled up the Union Government over the continuing failure to ensure regular air connectivity to the state, issuing notice to the Ministry of Civil Aviation while expanding the scope of an ongoing suo motu PIL.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Jiya Lal Bhardwaj, originally examining bird-hit risks around Kangra/Gaggal Airport, broadened the proceedings to cover erratic flight operations at all three functional airports of Himachal Pradesh — Shimla, Kullu (Bhuntar) and Kangra.
The court noted that despite the infrastructure developed at “considerable cost”, the number of flights remains grossly inadequate. Observing that Shimla and Kullu airports typically receive only a single “hopping” flight — and that too irregularly — the Bench remarked that such inconsistency defeats the very purpose of maintaining airports in a geographically challenging hill state.
It emphasised that unreliable flight operations are causing persistent inconvenience to residents and undermining tourism, the primary revenue engine of the state.
The court impleaded the Union Government through the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, as respondent. Advocate Rajeev Sharma accepted notice on behalf of the Centre. Advocate Sneh Bhimta was requested to assist the court on the expanded issue, with directions that necessary documents be supplied to her.
The Bench also directed the Himachal Pradesh Government to file a comprehensive status report detailing what steps it has taken, and what representations it has made, to secure dependable air services to Shimla, Kullu and Kangra.
Contract not renewed, causing flight suspension
Meanwhile, senior sources at the airlines confirmed that the one of the reason for the continued suspension of Delhi–Shimla, Dharamshala, Shimla Amritsar flight operations is the non-renewal of the operating contract with the State Government.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the previous agreement — under which Alliance Air operated the ATR service to Shimla — lapsed earlier this year on September 24, and no fresh contract has yet been signed, yet.
The information suggests that the issue may not be limited to operational logistics but also relates to unresolved administrative and contractual arrangements between the State Government and the airlines operating under UDAN and special viability-gap structures.
Next hearing on December 16
The High Court has listed the matter for further hearing on December 16, expecting both the State Government and the Ministry of Civil Aviation to clarify their positions on restoring reliable flight connectivity to the hill state.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
