Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday called on the Union civil aviation ministry to create a dedicated aviation policy tailored for Himalayan states, stressing that helicopter connectivity has become a vital lifeline in regions like Uttarakhand.
Speaking at the Minister Conference on Civil Aviation (North), Dhami pressed for provisions including financial aid, operational subsidies, a specialized Air Traffic Control (ATC) system suited for mountain terrain, and accurate weather and disaster forecasting, TOI reported.
Dhami said helicopter services are no longer just a convenience but a necessity for healthcare, disaster response, and pilgrimage in Uttarakhand’s difficult terrain. “Be it disaster management, healthcare, or pilgrimage, helicopter service has provided unprecedented convenience,” he said. He also urged operators to ensure pilots undergo special training for mountain flights and maintain the highest safety standards.
Citing the success of the Centre’s UDAN scheme, Dhami said the program has helped connect small towns and remote areas with air travel and boosted local economies. He added that 18 heliports are currently being developed in Uttarakhand, with 12 already operational.
Supporting Dhami’s view, Joint Secretary Asangba Chuba Ao said the regional connectivity scheme has already linked 625 routes and benefited over 1.5 crore passengers. The revamped UDAN scheme is expected to reach four crore passengers and 120 destinations in the next decade.
Joint Secretary Madhu Sudan Shankar emphasized the growing demand for skilled human resources in the aviation sector. He projected India could become the world’s third-largest aviation market by 2030, with the number of airports rising from 162 to nearly 400 by 2047. To meet future demand, India will need around 45,000 aviation maintenance technicians by 2040, underlining the urgency to build training infrastructure across states.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by our editors.
Image Via Pushkar Singh Dhami/X
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