HC seeks report on landing of big aircraft at Shimla airport

The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Monday sought a report on the feasibility of landing of big aircraft at the airport in the state capital which has been totally shut since September 2012.

A division bench of Chief Justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan directed the committee constituted by it to suggest and take all steps to make the airport operational.

Listing the matter for next hearing on October 12, the court directed the committee to hold a meeting within two weeks and submit the progress report.

The bench was hearing a petition by Paras Dhaulta, who contended that the government has been spending a lot of money on the upkeep and maintenance of the airport but no flight is operating to and from there.

The high court, in its earlier orders, constituted a committee of the ministry of civil aviation, the Airports Authority of India, Air India and the state government to suggest ways and make the airport functional as early as possible.