Uttarakhand Chief Minister Inaugurates New Flight Service to Boost Regional Connectivity
In a significant move to enhance regional air connectivity, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially launched the Dehradun-Pithoragarh-Dehradun flight service from Jolly Grant Airport on Thursday. This initiative, timed with the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami, marks a pivotal step in improving access to remote border areas and supporting local economic growth.
Operational Details and Travel Benefits
Operated by Alliance Air, the service utilizes a 42-seater aircraft that drastically reduces travel time between Dehradun and Pithoragarh. Previously separated by a challenging 495-kilometer road journey, the two cities are now connected by an approximately one-hour flight. This development is expected to facilitate easier movement for residents, tourists, and businesses alike.
Strategic and Economic Importance
During the inauguration, CM Dhami emphasized the strategic and economic significance of the new route. "Earlier, our border areas were neglected for years, which slowed development. Today, the Central and state governments are working together to connect remote and border regions with the mainstream of development," he stated. He highlighted that this service is part of the broader Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Yojana, launched in 2023, which aims to link isolated regions across the state.
Dhami further noted that air connectivity is crucial for hilly states like Uttarakhand, describing it as "not merely a mode of transport but a lifeline." To bolster this, the government is developing Pithoragarh airport with an investment of Rs 450 crore and has recently transferred Naini Saini Airport to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to enhance infrastructure.
Expansion Under UDAN Scheme
The flight service falls under the Central Government's UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, designed to promote affordable air travel in tier-2, tier-3, and hilly regions. Dhami revealed that the Central government approved UDAN Yojana 2.0 just two days prior, with ambitious targets:
- Development of 100 new airports
- Construction of 200 helipads
- Allocation of approximately Rs 29,000 crore over the next decade
Currently, 26 air routes are operational in Uttarakhand under UDAN, with flights running on six specific routes under the state's connectivity plan. Additionally, heliport numbers have increased from two to 12, and helipads from 60 to 118 over the past four years, earning Uttarakhand the national honor of "Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem."
Broader Connectivity Efforts
In conjunction with the flight service, a heli service has been initiated between Pithoragarh and Munsyari, further enhancing mobility in remote areas. Airport director Sandeep Yadav confirmed that air services from Pithoragarh now include routes to Haldwani, Delhi, Munsyari, and the newly added Dehradun connection. The official transfer of Naini Saini Airport to AAI, formalized through an MoU signed on November 9 last year, is expected to bring long-term benefits to the region.
This comprehensive approach to aviation development underscores the government's commitment to integrating Uttarakhand's distant locales into the national economic framework, promising improved accessibility and prosperity for its residents.
