Himachal looks to private sector for developing air – connectivity

Shimla: With plans of developing Himachal’s first international airport in Sundernagar being nipped in the bud as Airport Authority of India (AAI) has found the site technically unsuitable, the government has roped in the private sector to scout for an alternate site where one could be constructed.
Arun Sharma, director tourism and civil aviation says AAI has rejected the proposal to construct an airport at Sundernagar in Mandi due to high terrain around the site.
He said that the government was taking a policy decision of involving the private sector to develop the aviation sector.
Plans to expand the Kullu airport at Bhuntar too have come as a damper as the expenditure for extending the bridge runway over Beas River is estimated at Rs 1000 crore. AAI got a study done by IIT Rorkhee, who have suggested channelization of Beas River in order to extend the existing runway, he added.
To overcome constraints being faced in achieving better air connectivity the government is exploring the possibility of involving the private sector to develop an international airport as well as extending existing runways to enable landing of larger aircraft.
23/03/10 Ravinder Makhaik/My Himachal

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Categories: New Mar 2010