(Tribune)
The Centre has given the green signal for the construction of an airport in Mandi district, said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur after meeting Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi today.The Chief Minister said the upcoming airport would be constructed as a joint venture by the state government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for which the authority would prepare a detailed project report within a week while the government would speed up the land acquisition process.
He also discussed the expansion of other airports and requested the minister to explore the possibilities of landing of A320 aircraft at Gaggal and ATR74 aircraft in Shimla and Bhuntar airports. He also requested him for the expansion of runways of the existing airports. This would not only provide connectivity but also boost tourism. Thakur said air ambulance services needed to be strengthened in the state which was facing problems due to the existing terms and conditions.
