Uttarakhand looks into expansion of airports

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has embarked upon an ambitious plan to boost air connectivity in the state, which will involve the expansion of existing airports, as well as establishment of additional facilities.
The Jollygrant airport here was upgraded by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) last year for operation of large Boeing 737 and Airbus-320 class aircraft at a cost of Rs 100 crore, considering the traffic potential and requirement projected by the airlines.
Night landing facilities have now been provided at the airport and its newly constructed airstrip is 7,000 metres long and 150 metres wide.
This exercise is now being replayed at the Pantnagar airport in Kumaon region, which is also being upgraded to handle Boeing and Airbus operations at a cost of Rs 75 crore.
In addition, the government is in the process of modernising the Pithoragarh airport in Kumaon region of the state. The state government hopes to facilitate additional flights to and from the Jollygrant airport in future through further expansion of infrastructure.
The state civil aviation department is working out a plan to set up a hangar for housing a workshop to carry out routine maintenance of aircraft landing at this airport.
10/04/10 Press Trust of India/Financial Express

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Categories: Airports Apr 2010