The services will provide residents of border areas, particularly Pithoragarh, with a faster and more efficient connection to Delhi.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday virtually launched new helicopter services under the Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme.
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The services include routes from Sahastradhara (Dehradun) to Joshiyara (Uttarkashi), Sahastradhara (Dehradun) to Gauchar (Chamoli), and an air service from Delhi to Pithoragarh. The virtual launch took place from the Chief Minister’s official residence.
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In an official release, CM Dhami termed the new services as a milestone in the state’s development, highlighting the construction of heliports at 18 locations across Uttarakhand under the Udaan scheme. The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu for their unwavering support in launching these air services, ANI reported.
The new initiatives are expected to significantly boost tourism, economic growth, and improve access to remote areas. The services will provide residents of border areas, particularly Pithoragarh, with a faster and more efficient connection to Delhi. Additionally, the air connectivity will enhance emergency and disaster management efforts in the state.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the helicopter services would reduce travel time considerably. The journey from Dehradun to Joshiyara, which once took several hours, will now be completed in just 40 minutes, while the Dehradun-Gauchar route will take only 50 minutes.
CM Dhami also credited the Prime Minister for launching the visionary Udaan scheme, which has played a key role in strengthening air connectivity in Uttarakhand. Under the scheme, 18 heliports are being developed, with services already launched at 10 locations, including Srinagar, Haldwani, Munsiyari, Pithoragarh, Pantnagar, Champawat, and Almora. Efforts to expand the network to other important areas in the state are ongoing.
“The initiation of these air services will not only promote tourism in rural areas but also create new employment opportunities for local businesses, homestays, and the youth. Recognising the importance of air connectivity, the state government is committed to enhancing domestic flights,” the Chief Minister said.
