In a strategic move aimed at accelerating the development of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held back-to-back high-level meetings with Union ministers in New Delhi on Monday, pressing the Centre on two critical fronts—enhancing air connectivity to key tourist destinations and increasing the state’s borrowing limit to address mounting financial pressure in the wake of devastating natural calamities. These meetings reflect a renewed urgency from the state leadership to address Himachal’s dual challenges of infrastructure gaps and post-disaster recovery.
In a significant engagement with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, the Chief Minister emphasized the need for daily flight operations on the Delhi-Shimla-Dharamshala route. At present, these flights operate only three times a week, posing a major hurdle for tourism-dependent regions in the state. Sukhu argued that the unpredictable flight schedule inconveniences travelers and undermines the potential of tourism-driven revenue, which is a vital economic pillar for Himachal Pradesh. He also reiterated the long-standing demand for night landing facilities at Dharamshala’s Gaggal Airport, stating that enhanced operational hours could help decongest air traffic and improve regional accessibility year-round.
The Chief Minister further pushed for the expansion of Shimla Airport, suggesting that operational watch hours be extended beyond the current 1 p.m. cutoff. He proposed the introduction of Dornier-type aircraft services—similar to what has been successfully implemented in several northeastern states—to make regional air connectivity more dependable and cost-effective. He also called for encouraging more private operators to introduce regular flights to Shimla and Dharamshala, thereby opening up greater air mobility for both residents and tourists.
Adding momentum to his development agenda, CM Sukhu also requested central assistance for the much-delayed Kangra airport expansion project. With land acquisition emerging as the biggest financial bottleneck, he reminded the Union Civil Aviation Minister that the matter had already been raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during an earlier meeting. He urged the ministry to take a proactive approach in supporting land procurement efforts, arguing that this project would serve as a critical infrastructure milestone for the entire region.
Complementing his aviation-related requests, the Chief Minister also sought the construction of four additional heliports across the state. These, he noted, would not only offer rapid access during emergencies and disaster response but would also bolster tourism circuits, particularly in remote valleys and tribal regions where road connectivity remains vulnerable during monsoon months.
On the financial front, CM Sukhu met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to seek an increase in the state’s borrowing ceiling. Citing the enormous financial stress caused by recent flash floods, landslides, and heavy rainfall that have ravaged Himachal Pradesh, he presented a detailed assessment of the losses and the urgent need for fiscal flexibility. According to the Chief Minister, the current borrowing cap is insufficient to support both ongoing welfare schemes and disaster recovery initiatives. He urged the Finance Minister to consider the unique geographical and environmental vulnerabilities of the hill state while revising its borrowing limits under the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) framework.
Sukhu emphasized that the climate crisis is hitting Himalayan states harder and more frequently, necessitating a more responsive fiscal approach from the Union Government. He appealed for a special economic relief package that can assist in immediate recovery and help the state strengthen its infrastructure to withstand future calamities. The Chief Minister’s conversation with Sitharaman also included deliberations on sector-specific funding and policy reforms that could accelerate the flow of central assistance to hill states grappling with environmental fragility and limited economic avenues.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Resident Commissioner Sushil Kumar Singla, and senior officers from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Finance were part of the delegation, signaling the administrative seriousness behind the discussions.
These engagements, conducted within hours of each other, signal CM Sukhu’s aggressive outreach strategy aimed at securing tangible outcomes for Himachal Pradesh. As climate events intensify and the tourism economy fluctuates, the twin asks—financial autonomy and air infrastructure augmentation—are now at the heart of the state’s survival and growth narrative. Whether the Centre responds promptly to these well-reasoned appeals remains to be seen, but Sukhu’s advocacy underscores a leadership committed to protecting both the natural and economic lifelines of the hill state.
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