Upgrade Jolly Grant airport: Ex-CM
Tribune News Service
Dehradun, April 27
Haridwar MP and former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has said efforts are being made to convert Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun into an international airport.
Nishank, who holds the post of chairman, Jolly Grant airport, held long discussions with officials of the Airports Authority of India in Dehradun and discussed all possibilities for converting Jolly Grant airport into an international airport. He said the international air connectivity was all important for the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The Jolly Grant airport has an infrastructure that supports the arrival and departure of international flights, he claimed. Nishank said a large number of Uttarakhandis work abroad and the start of international flights from Dehradun would be of great advantage to them.
Jolly Grant airport Director V Krishna Kumar has said the terminal building of the airport is all set to be upgraded and made of international standards. He said the upgraded terminal building would now be in a total area of 32,200 square meters. He apprised that tenders have even been invited for the start of construction activities. Further to better passenger amenities, accommodation and food arrangements are also being introduced at the airport.
Significantly, it has been more than 16 years since Uttarakhand was carved out of Uttar Pradesh but connectivity continues to be a big challenge before the state. The state has only two airports one at Jolly Grant and the other at Pantnagar. But Pantnagar airport do not have regular flights. Thus Jolly Grant airport stands as the sole proper airport in the state. But still this airport even has limited operations. Only half a dozen flights operate from this airport with most of them operating between Dehradun and Delhi.
