Chief Minister Dhami virtually flagged off the Heli service operated under the Regional Connectivity Scheme.
Dehradun. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday virtually flagged off the heli service being operated under the Regional Connectivity Scheme from Haldwani to Munsiyari, Pithoragarh, Champawat in a program organized by the Civil Aviation Department at the Chief Minister’s residence, Auditorium.
Expressing heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Chief Minister said that this air service was awaited for a long time. He said that it will not only be capable of connecting remote areas and providing facilities for movement of people, it will also prove to be an effective medium for effective implementation of relief and rescue operations in times of emergency. He said that along with visiting various tourist areas, this will also provide a lot of convenience to the people in transportation.
Referring to the Corona period, the Chief Minister said that those who had gone out during the Corona period are now returning to their villages. In this way, it is not only an air service but also a route for reverse migration. This is the path that will re-populate our mountain homes and bring back glory to the villages.
Referring to Jollygrant Airport, the Chief Minister said that we have inaugurated the new terminal of Jollygrant Airport a few days ago and soon on the basis of pilot project from Jollygrant Airport, we will also start operations on Dehradun-Amritsar, Dehradun-Pantnagar, Dehradun-Ayodhya routes. Air connectivity will be started. Not only this, we are also going to start heli service for places like Trijuginarayan, Lansdowne etc. in the coming time. He said that on one hand this will boost tourism and on the other hand new employment opportunities will also increase.
The Chief Minister said that fixed wing aircraft services from Dehradun to Pithoragarh have been started from January 30, 2024. With the launch of this service, people in the border areas have got a new and better option to travel. He said that Uttarakhand is a very important state from religious and tourism point of view and the state government is trying to provide all kinds of facilities to the devotees and tourists to travel in the state. Air services can play an important role in this.
The Chief Minister said that while we are making Jolly Grant Airport of international standard, we are also committed to developing Pantnagar Airport as an international airport. Along with this, services like “Joy Ride Service”, “Himalayan Darshan” etc. are also proposed to visit the scenic areas of the state through air. Tourism will get a boost with the start of these services.
The Chief Minister said that today the country has entered the Amrit Kaal under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his leadership, today’s India is seeing big dreams and also fulfilling them. He said that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, the life of the common man has become prosperous and during his tenure, 25 crore people have risen above the poverty line. He had dreamed that even a person wearing slippers would be able to travel by air and in these 10 years we are seeing that dream coming true. He said that wherever there is a double engine government, the Prime Minister’s vision is bringing prosperity in the lives of the common man and today we are seeing the continuous expansion of the UDAN scheme which was started by the Prime Minister. He assured that our government is making every possible effort to promote civil aviation in the state and will continue to do so in the future and we are continuously working to make Uttarakhand the best state of the country in every field and all of you With their support we will definitely be successful in fulfilling this resolution.
Addressing the program virtually from Delhi, Minister of State for Defense and Tourism Ajay Bhatt said that the air service was started under Ude Desh Ka Har Nagrik to promote regional tourism and air connectivity. This service will greatly benefit tourism, education, health etc. He also informed that the Center has approved Rs 140 crore for the development of Pithoragarh and Champawat. He said that whatever plan will be sent, it will be given 100 percent approval.
MLA Vishan Singh Chufal, Additional Secretary Civil Aviation C Ravi Shankar, public representatives from Munsiyari, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Haldwani also addressed the program and highlighted in detail the benefits of starting the air service.
