Dr. Sikander inquired in Rajya Sabha wether GOI has approved the extension of Gaggal Airport runway
Rajya Sabha MP and State General Secretary BJP Dr. Sikandar Kumar during the winter session sought to know from the Civil Aviation Minister whether the government plans to develop Emergency Helicopter Medical Service (HEMS) units on national highways and expressways? He further asked whether the government is planning to adopt a comprehensive approach to provide at least one HEMS in every hilly area in Himachal Pradesh?
Responding to questions raised by Dr. Sikander, Minister of State in the Civil Aviation Ministry, Murlidhar Mohol informed that the Civil Aviation Ministry in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the Government of Uttarakhand has launched Helicopter Emergency Medical Service under the pilot project ‘Sanjeevani’ at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh on 29 October 2024 which will provide immediate medical facility to needy citizens within a radius of 150 km. He informed that at present the Government of India has no other proposal or plan and HEMS has been started on a pilot basis only in the state of Uttarakhand so far.
Dr. Sikander Kumar asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether the Government has approved the extension of the runway of Gaggal Airport in the state of Himachal Pradesh? What is the total expenditure on compensation for land acquisition and whether the Government has taken any significant steps to boost the local economy to enhance economic development in Himachal Pradesh?
Replying to Dr. Sikander’s queries, Minister of State in the Civil Aviation Ministry, Murlidhar Mohol informed that the proposal prepared by the Aviation Authority of India for extending the runway at Gaggal Airport in Kangra district to a total length of 3010 meters is under consideration of the State Government. He informed that as per the National Civil Aviation Policy, 2016, it is the responsibility of the concerned State Government to provide free and encumbrance-free land for airport development. Therefore, additional land of 369.82 acres has been requested from the State Government for extension of the runway at Kangra and it is yet to be handed over by the State Government.
The Minister of State informed that the Ministry has launched the UDAN scheme from 21st October, 2016 to promote regional air connectivity and to make air travel affordable for the general public so that the common man can easily enjoy air travel. He said that in Himachal Pradesh, airports at Shimla and Kullu and heliports at Rampur and Mandi have already become operational. Airports result in the creation of direct and indirect employment opportunities by providing opportunities for technicians for construction work as well as generating employment for skilled and semi-skilled workforce.
