Construct Shimla Heliport within a year: CM

Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur today directed the concerned departments to ensure that the new Heliport near Dhalli bypass was constructed within a year.

The chief minister who visited the proposed site of the heliport along with senior officers directed the Tourism Department to immediately float tenders for awarding the contract and starting the construction work.

He said the work should be completed within a year.

He also directed the Public Works Department to improve the link road to the proposed site of Heliport. The Heliport here would boost high end tourism in the state, he said, adding the state government was giving added priority for expansion of tourism activities in the state for which basic infrastructure would be strengthened.

At present, the Annandale helipad under control of the army was being used by for state helicopter and VVIP landing while the Kalyani helipad near Retreat, summer holiday resort of President of India was out of bond for private operators.

Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Manisha Nanda and senior officers of the Tourism, Public Works departments and district administration accompanied the chief minister on the spot.