| The Uttarakhand government today said it had received 12 expressions of interests (EIs) for its modernisation plans of Pithoragarh airport. |
| "We have received 12 proposals for the modernisation of Pithoragarh airport," said Principal Secretary Civil Aviation P C Sharma. |
| Among the companies who have applied through the EIs include Mumbai-based Atlanta group and some local companies from Uttarakhand. |
| The government recently spent Rs 22 crore to acquire land for the airport, which is being upgraded to facilitate the landing of 48-seater aircraft. |
| Meanwhile, Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun is also being upgraded by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the operation of B-737/A-320 class of aircraft, considering the traffic potential and requirements projected by the airlines. For this purpose, the government acquired the land of those who were rehabilitated in the Athoorwala and Jollygrant areas from Tehri and spent Rs 75 crore for the modernisation. The night-landing facility is also being provided at Jollygrant airport, according to officials. |
| The newly constructed airstrip at Jollygrant is now 7,000 metres long and 150 metres wide. Besides Jollygrant, Pantnagar airport in Kumaon is also being upgraded for Boeing and Airbus operations at Rs 75 crore. |
| Deccan Airways, which used to ply a 45-seater service to both Pantnagar and Dehra Dun from New Delhi before the upgrade began last year, is contemplating a move to link Dehra Dun with Pant Nagar, an industrial hub in the Kumaon region. |
| Further, Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd also plans to connect important tourist places in Uttarakhand such as Ghangharia and Hemkund Sahib, subject to permission from the Union Forest and Environment Ministry. |
| Besides Pithoragarh, the state government is also interested in upgrading airstrips at Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts. All these airstrips were not suitable for the operation of 20- and 50-seater class of aircraft due to their location and surrounding terrain. |
| In addition to this, the government is also planning to construct at least one helipad in the headquarters of the 13 districts of the state. |
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