With the help of private investment, Himachal Pradesh could soon fulfil its dream of having an international airport.
Sources in the state government say around 200 acres will be needed to build the airport, as officials have begun to scout for land in the hills of Shimla and Solan districts.
Private companies have already started showing keen interest to build the project under the private-public partnership (PPP) mode.
According to one estimate, the cost of the project will come to something between Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,000 crore. But the state government will have to provide the land along with road, water and electricity at the location.
The state government is also planning to build an international airport in the foothills of the state in Una district, but this proposal has now been put on hold for some reason.
Currently the state has three airports in Shimla, Kullu and Kangra. But only small aircraft can land here.
Due to poor air connectivity the hill state often misses out on high-end tourists, particularly foreigners.
“By having an international airport we can attract the high class tourists to Himachal,” a top official of the state government said.
