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Upgrading Uttaranchal airports to cost Centre Rs 150 crore

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Our Regional Bureau New Delhi/ Dehra Dun
The Centre will spend Rs 150 crore to upgrade airports at Dehra Dun and Pantnagar in Uttaranchal, work for which will be undertaken by the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
 
Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, who was in Dehra Dun during the weekend, said the upgrade of the two airports would be completed by next year.
 
"In addition to this, the Centre is upgrading several other airports in northern India, including Kullu, Shimla, Jammu and Srinagar," Patel said.
 
Jollygrant airport in Dehradun is being upgraded by the AAI for the operation of B-737/A-320 class of aircraft considering traffic potential and requirements projected by airlines.
 
For this purpose, the government is in the process of acquiring land of all those people who were rehabilitated in the Athoorwala and Jollygrant areas from Tehri.
 
The night landing facility would also be provided at Jollygrant airport, Patel said. Pantnagar airport is also being upgraded for ATR-42 operation on the request of airlines.
 
Deccan Airways has already started 45-seater service to both Pantnagar and Dehra Dun. In addition to this, Deccan Airways is also contemplating a move to link Dehra Dun with Pantnagar, an industrial hub in Kumaon region.
 
Also, Pawan Hans Helicopters is planning to connect important tourist/tourism places in Uttaranchal such as Ghangharia and Hemkund Sahib after obtaining permission from the Union Forest and Environment Ministry.
 
The government of Uttaranchal had requested the AAI to examine the suitability of upgrading airstrips developed by it at Pithoragarh and Gauchar. Both these airstrips were not found suitable for operation of the 20/50-seater class of aircraft due to their location and surrounding terrain, officials said.

 

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First Published: Sep 20 2006 | 12:00 AM IST

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