CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Directs Fast-Tracking of Aviation Projects, Emphasizes Top-Priority Safety in Heli Services

Dehradun – Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to accelerate ongoing projects of the Civil Aviation Department and to ensure the highest safety standards in the operation of helicopter services across Uttarakhand.

Chairing a review meeting of the Civil Aviation Department’s game-changer initiatives at the Secretariat on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said that expanding the air connectivity network, especially to remote areas, is crucial. He stressed that alongside expanding services, strict compliance with aviation safety protocols must be enforced.

CM Dhami also instructed efforts to promote aero-sports in the state and begin regular charter flights to the Char Dham pilgrimage sites.

Key Developments and Directives:

• New Flying Training School in Pantnagar:
  Civil Aviation Secretary Sachin Kurve informed that a new pilot training center is being established in Pantnagar to meet the rising demand for trained pilots.
• ISRO Partnership for Safer Air Routes:
  To enhance aviation safety, the state is collaborating with ISRO to develop digital mapping capabilities for air routes.
• New Air Services Under UKADA Scheme:
  Under the Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme (UKADA), shuttle services are being planned between:
  • Dehradun and Joshimath
  • Joshimath and Badrinath
  • Pithoragarh–Dharachula
  • Pithoragarh–Munsyari
• Direct Heli Service to Adi Kailash Region:
  Plans are underway to launch a direct helicopter service from Gunji to boost pilgrimage and tourism in the Adi Kailash region.
• Additional Helipad Near Kedarnath:
  To strengthen Kedarnath’s heli service, a new helipad is being built near Garudchatti.
• Airport Expansion Projects:
  • Pantnagar Airport: Expansion expected to be completed by 2027–28.
  • Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun): Being upgraded to international standards by 2026.
• Pithoragarh Airstrip as a Regional Hub:
  Given the tourism potential and strategic requirements of Gunji, Munsyari, and Adi Kailash, Pithoragarh Airstrip is being developed into a regional aviation hub.
• New Helipads in Border Areas:
  In collaboration with the Indian Army, new helipads in frontier areas are being planned.

Officials Present at the Review:

• Shri Vishwas Dabar, Vice Chairman, Infrastructure Monitoring Council
• Chief Secretary Shri Anand Bardhan
• Principal Secretaries Shri R.K. Sudhanshu and Shri R. Meenakshi Sundaram
• Secretary Shri Sachin Kurve
• UKADA CEO Shri Ashish Chauhan
• Additional Secretary Shri Vineet Kumar
• UKADA Additional CEO Shri Sanjay Tolia
• Other senior officials

Issued by: Department of Information and Public Relations, Government of Uttarakhand