Shimla: While uncertainty looms over the proposal to expand Shimla and Bhuntar airports, the Union ministry of civil aviation has hinted at expanding Gaggal airport of Kangra district. The ministry has also assured to provide night landing and refueling facilities at Gaggal, enabling bigger aircraft to land.
Short airstrips of Himachal Pradesh have remained a matter of concern for the state government as these were not allowing the landing of bigger planes, resulting in huge loss to tourism business. While the Shimla airport expansion is hanging fire due to soil erosion and Beas river is putting breaks on the expansion of Kullu-Manali airport, proposals to expand Gaggal airport have also remained confined to papers only.
Confirming the development, Himachal Pradesh minister for urban development, Sudhir Sharma, said that Union civil aviation minister Ajit Singh has agreed to conduct a fresh survey for expansion of the airport. "Expansion of this airport would cater to the needs to domestic and international tourists coming to visit McLeodganj and Dharamshala," he said.
13/10/13 Times of India
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Short airstrips of Himachal Pradesh have remained a matter of concern for the state government as these were not allowing the landing of bigger planes, resulting in huge loss to tourism business. While the Shimla airport expansion is hanging fire due to soil erosion and Beas river is putting breaks on the expansion of Kullu-Manali airport, proposals to expand Gaggal airport have also remained confined to papers only.
Confirming the development, Himachal Pradesh minister for urban development, Sudhir Sharma, said that Union civil aviation minister Ajit Singh has agreed to conduct a fresh survey for expansion of the airport. "Expansion of this airport would cater to the needs to domestic and international tourists coming to visit McLeodganj and Dharamshala," he said.
13/10/13 Times of India
