Shimla – In a significant step towards strengthening Himachal Pradesh’s tourism infrastructure, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that land awards amounting to ₹460 crore have been released and disbursed to beneficiaries for the expansion of Kangra Airport. An additional ₹1,899 crore worth of awards are ready for disbursement, marking a major milestone in one of the state’s most ambitious infrastructure projects.
Highlighting the economic and tourism potential of the project, the Chief Minister said that the expansion of Kangra Airport would play a transformative role in boosting the local economy of Kangra and neighbouring districts. “This expansion will not only enhance regional connectivity but also open new avenues of employment and self-employment for local youth,” he said. Sukhu added that improved air connectivity would attract high-end tourists, thus giving a major fillip to the hospitality and tourism sectors.
Reviewing the ongoing heliport development across the state, the Chief Minister directed officials to speed up construction work and ensure timely completion. He revealed that operational authorization for the Sanjauli and Rampur Bushair heliports has already been received from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and directed authorities to begin operations soon after fulfilling the remaining formalities.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the progress of heliports under construction at Kagnidhdar in Mandi district, Rakkar and Palampur in Kangra, Sultanpur in Kullu, Reckong Peo in Kinnaur, and Jaskot in Hamirpur district. He instructed officials to ensure that these projects are completed by next year. Sukhu emphasized that better air connectivity would help make Himachal Pradesh a year-round tourist destination by facilitating access to remote and scenic regions.
He further directed that new routes for helicopter operations be identified and made operational to enhance accessibility for tourists. “Tourism is the mainstay of Himachal Pradesh’s economy, and the state government is committed to promoting it in a holistic and sustainable way,” Sukhu said.
During the review, the Chief Minister also instructed officials to expedite work on the Auhar Tourist Complex in Bilaspur district, which has achieved 46 percent completion so far. He further assessed various ongoing tourism projects being executed with Asian Development Bank (ADB) funding and urged officers to accelerate construction and ensure quality completion within set timelines.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary (Tourism) Devesh Kumar, Secretary to Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar, Director of Tourism Vivek Bhatia, and other senior officials. The Chief Minister reiterated that with improved air and road infrastructure, Himachal Pradesh aims to position itself as one of India’s most attractive and easily accessible tourist destinations, ensuring sustainable growth and livelihood opportunities for its people.
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