Central Government committed to give new impetus to Himachal’s road network, detailed discussion held on National Highways: Harsh Mahajan

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan today paid a courtesy call on Shri Nitin Gadkari, the Honorable Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India. On this occasion, a detailed and fruitful discussion took place on various important national highways, road connectivity, and infrastructure development issues related to Himachal Pradesh.

Harsh Mahajan emphasized the need to further strengthen road infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh with the Union Minister. They discussed various projects related to providing better road connectivity, particularly in remote and tribal areas, expansion of national highways, and development of the state.

During this, Harsh Mahajan expressed his heartfelt gratitude and thanks to Union Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari for initiating the work on the Pathankot-Chamba-Bharmaur road project and bringing it under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He said that the realization of this important project will provide better and safer road facilities to millions of people in the Chamba and Bharmour areas, will give a new impetus to tourism and will also provide a major boost to the social and economic development of the region.

Harsh Mahajan said that the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, is continuously committed to the all-round development of Himachal Pradesh. Unprecedented investments are being made by the central government in the areas of road, transportation, and infrastructure, which is rapidly connecting even remote areas of the state to the mainstream of development.

He expressed confidence that with the cooperation of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, many important road projects in Himachal Pradesh will progress rapidly, which will provide long-term benefits to the development, tourism, trade and common life of the state.

The Central Government is committed to strengthening air connectivity in Himachal, Civil Aviation Minister’s reply to a question by MP Harsh Mahajan

369.82 acres of land for Kangra Airport expansion pending with the State Government, heliport development also gains momentum under the UDAN scheme: Central Government

Shimla. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol has provided a detailed reply to BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan’s question in the Rajya Sabha regarding important issues related to air connectivity, airport expansion, land acquisition, and heliport development in Himachal Pradesh. The Minister clarified that the Central Government is continuously working to strengthen air connectivity and develop civil aviation infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.

In his reply, the Union Minister stated that currently, Shimla Airport is connected to Delhi and Dharamshala, Kangra (Gaggal) Airport to Delhi, Jewar, Chandigarh, and Shimla, while Kullu-Bhuntar Airport is connected to Amritsar, Delhi, and Jaipur. He added that the Central Government is continuously making efforts to improve Himachal Pradesh’s air connectivity.

The Minister stated that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has prepared a plan to expand Kangra Airport at the request of the state government, requiring 369.82 acres of additional land. This land is to be provided by the state government, but has not yet been transferred to AAI. He clarified that, according to the National Civil Aviation Policy 2016, it is the state government’s responsibility to provide the necessary land for airport expansion.

The Union Minister also informed that geographical conditions, difficult terrain and land limitations are the major hurdles in the expansion of Kullu-Bhuntar Airport and runway expansion of Shimla Airport, due to which expansion of these projects is not possible in the present circumstances.

The Minister stated that 40 air routes have been operational in Himachal Pradesh so far under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAN). Additionally, regarding heliport development, he informed that helicopter services are currently operating from Rampur, Mandi, Reckong Peo, and Sanjauli. ₹51.11 crore has been approved for the development of heliport infrastructure in the state, of which ₹37.31 crore has been spent so far.

The Union Minister also informed that under the next phase of the UDAN scheme, a provision of ₹3,661 crore has been made for the development of 200 heliports in the hilly, north-eastern and aspirational regions from 2026-27 to 2035-36. Under the revised UDAN scheme, the Himachal Pradesh government can identify suitable locations and submit proposals for heliport development, which will be decided based on operational feasibility.

BJP MP Harsh Mahajan said that the central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is working with full commitment to develop air connectivity and infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. He said that the state government should also fulfill its responsibilities in a timely manner and provide the necessary land so that important projects like the Kangra Airport expansion can be completed expeditiously and the state’s tourism, trade, and economic development can gain new momentum.