Sukhu seeks policy interventions to boost Himachal’s regional air network
Shimla, July 23,
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu to expedite key aviation-related proposals concerning Himachal Pradesh. In a letter written following discussions during his recent visit to New Delhi, the Chief Minister sought urgent policy-level interventions to enhance the state’s regional air connectivity and aviation infrastructure.
According to a government spokesperson, the Chief Minister has requested the Centre to recommend the Kangra Airport expansion project to the Ministry of Finance and the Prime Minister’s Office for Special Central Assistance. The State Government has already initiated the process of acquiring approximately 150 hectares of land for the project. Awards amounting to over ₹1,900 crore are in place, of which ₹410 crore have already been disbursed. The statutory one-year period for land acquisition ends this August, making the proposal time-sensitive, said the spokesperson.
Highlighting the need for a more practical cost estimation, the Chief Minister has asked the Ministry to have the Techno-Economic Feasibility Report of the Kangra Airport—prepared by WAPCOS Ltd.—reviewed by the Airport Authority of India (AAI), pointing out that the current projections are on the higher side.
To make the expansion financially viable and operationally efficient, Sukhu proposed exploring a tripartite Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model involving the AAI, the State Government, and a private partner.
In terms of operations, the Chief Minister sought the introduction of Special Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at Kangra Airport to reduce the minimum visibility requirement for flight operations from 5 kilometers to 2.5 kilometers. This, he noted, would help maintain consistent flight schedules during periods of reduced visibility. He also emphasized that Kangra, being the busiest airport in Himachal Pradesh, must be upgraded with night landing facilities to further streamline operations.
Raising a long-standing issue, Sukhu asked that the Himachal Pradesh State Police be allowed to take over airport security operations at Shimla and Kullu airports—on the lines of Kangra airport—replacing the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). This move, he argued, would optimize deployment and reduce costs.
The Chief Minister also requested the extension of operational watch hours at Shimla airport from the current 1 PM to 4 PM. He noted that a longer operational window would help improve flight connectivity and efficiency, particularly for sectors operating in hilly terrain with weather-dependent limitations.
To support simultaneous operations and increase air traffic, Sukhu urged the provision of a second apron at Shimla Airport for ATR 42/600-type aircraft. This would enable multiple flight operations and ease logistical constraints.
Among specific route demands, the Chief Minister reiterated the need to resume daily operations by Alliance Air on the Shimla–Dharamshala–Shimla sector, which had been discontinued earlier.
The government spokesperson also confirmed that the Chief Minister has requested the Ministry to ensure operational clearances for four heliports—Sanjauli, Rampur, Baddi, and Kangnidhar—by October 2025. Additionally, four more heliports under UDAN Phase-II have been proposed at Jaskot (Hamirpur), Dehra (Kangra), and one each in Una and Bilaspur districts.
Furthermore, Sukhu has emphasized that air operators such as Heritage Aviation, Global Vectra, and Pawan Hans be directed to operationalize routes allotted to them under the UDAN scheme, in order to strengthen last-mile air connectivity across Himachal’s remote regions.
About the Author
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.
