Dehradun-Pithoragarh air services resume
Dehradun-Pithoragarh air services resume
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, March 26
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, today inaugurated resumption of air services on Dehradun to Pithoragarh air route. A 42 seater aircraft will fly between Dehradun to Pithoragarh, thrice a week.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that union government has approved UDAN -2 project only two days ago and this extention of scheme will strengthen air services in interior regions of the country. “To spread air services in the country, the union government wants to construct 100 new airports and 200 helipad in next 10 years at a cost of Rs 29000 crore,” said the Uttarakhand CM.
À MoU, between state government and Airports Authority of India (AAI), facilitating transfer of Naini-Saini airport, Pithoragarh to AAI was also finalised on the occasion.
The Chief Minister stated that with the launch of the Dehradun-Pithoragarh air service, the people of Pithoragarh can reach Dehradun in one hour. This service will provide a new boost to Pithoragarh’s economy. He added that previously, our border areas were neglected for years, limiting the pace of development in these areas. Today, the central and state governments are working together to connect border and remote areas with the mainstream of development. In line with this initiative, a helicopter service has also been launched between Pithoragarh and Munsyari.
The Chief Minister said that the government is also working to develop Pithoragarh Airport at a cost of ₹450 crore. In this regard, on the occasion of State Foundation Day, in the presence of the Prime Minister, an MoU was signed between the Airports Authority of India and the Uttarakhand government for the acquisition of Naini Saini Airport, which will further benefit the region in the future.
On this occasion, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, through a video message, extended his best wishes for the Dehradun-Pithoragarh flight service and assured to promote air facilities in the state. Cabinet Ministers Khajan Das, Bharat Chaudhary, MLA Brijbhushan Gairola, former MLA Chandra Pant, in-charge Hemraj Bisht, CMD of Alliance Air Amit Kumar, CEO of UCADA Dr. Ashish Chauhan, ACEO Sanjay Tolia were present at the function.
” The first flight crew members and passengers were welcomed by Pithoragarh administration and people at Naini-Saini airport on arrival from Dehradun today, ” said Pithoragarh District Magistrate Ashish Bhatgai.
According to district magistrate, the airline that also runs air services from Delhi to Pithoragarh, will fly between Pithoragarh and Dehradun thrice a week.
The air service from Dehradun to Pithoragarh, that had begun 2 years ago were closed after running for 7 months in October last year. “As all the hurdles that disturbed the service have been sorted out, the resumed service between Pithoragarh -Dehradun will now remain uninterrupted,” claimed Girish Joshi district president of ruling BJP in Pithoragarh,who was present at the function organised by party at Naini- Saini airport to celebrate the resumption of air services to Dehradun.
