BETTER AIR CONNECTIVITY
WITH HIMACHAL PRADESH SOON: SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN
The Civil Aviation Minister Shri Syed Shahnawaz
Hussain has said that his Ministry will take all possible steps
to boost aviation activity in Himachal Pradesh. He gave this assurance
during a visit to the Kullu-Manali airport today. Airports Authority
of India (AAI) has taken up major development works at various
airports in Himachal Pradesh for providing better air connectivity
to places of tourist attraction in the hilly state. Government
of Himachal Pradesh has signed an MOU with AAI for Development
& Upgradation works at Kullu-Manali and Kangra Airports at
a cost of Rs. 18.22 Crore. These works are presently being executed
by AAI.
AAI has also taken up development of a new Civil Enclave, capable
to handle air traffic up to Air Bus 320 type of aircraft, at Pathankot
Air force Station. This will provide better air connectively to
Dalhousie and Dharamshala by feeder aircrafts of small category.
The Civil Enclave is likely to be commissioned by May 2003.
The Minister said that, the recently constructed terminal building
at Kangra Airport to cater for peak hour capacity of 100 passengers
at a time with all amenities will be ready for commissioning by
December, 2002. However, the runway though extended and recarpetted
for 50 seater aircraft of ATR type could not be commissioned for
want of diversion of a road and a Nallah for which Government
of Himachal Pradesh has been requested to take expeditious action.
Runway at Shimla has already been extended up to 4100 feet. However
recarpetting and profile correction work is in progress and is
likely to be completed by November 2002. The extended runway will
be in operation by this year-end
