Uttarakhand, Centre discuss improving air connectivity

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat had wide ranging discussions on Thursday, including on ways to improve air connectivity in the hill state.

The meeting held at the Bijapur guest house was "positive" and the union minister assured the state that all pending proposals before the central government would be expedited and dealt with an open mind, a state official told IANS.

Raju also announced that the Pantnagar airport would be developed as a cargo facility.

The airports at Pantnagar and Dehradun (Jolly Grant airport) would be extended and a decision to allow night landing for choppers would also be considered after scrutiny of security and safety aspects, the central minister told Rawat.

After the meeting, the Uttarakhand chief minister said he was very hopeful of development and extension of aviation facilities in his state.

"I am very positive after the meeting with the civil aviation minister and I hope proposals like restarting of the Air India flight from Delhi to Pantnagar would be considered seriously, as assured by the minister," Rawat said.

Extension of aviation facilities will not only create jobs and give impetus to tourism, but would also spur the state's economy, he said.