Announcement on Gaggal airport expansion by year-end, says Anurag

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, August 30

Union minister of state for finance Anurag Thakur today said that Gaggal airport in Kangra district would be expanded by year end. “You will receive good news regarding Gaggal airport by year end,” said Anurag Thakur while responding to queries of newsmen at Gaggal airport today morning.

Anurag was on his maiden visit to Kangra district after taking over as union minister of state for finance. He was welcomed by hundreds of BJP workers at Gaggal airport.

Anurag said that facilities at the Gaggal port were expanded after the Dharamsala international cricket stadium came up. During international cricket matches chartered flights landed here. Now the airport would be expanded so that bigger flights can land here. It would give boost to tourism in Kangra region and also bring down prices of airfares.

Anurag said an international T-20 match between South Africa and India would be hosted at Dharamsala international cricket stadium next month. Another one-day match is scheduled to be hosted here in March next. “We would try to bring more international cricket matches at Dharamsala stadium. This would boost tourism in the region”, Anurag said.

When asked about the Central University Himachal Pradesh (CUHP), Anurag said an amount of about Rs 200 crores would be released by the Union HRD Ministry for bringing up a permanent campus of the institute. The project has already been delayed. Now no stone would be left unturned to bring up permanent campus at the earliest.

When asked of the state government would get financial assistance from the union government in view of precarious finances of the state, Anurag said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had always been benevolent towards the state. The 14th Finance Commission had increased Himachal share in Central taxes considerably. The 15th Finance Commission would give even better deal to Himachal, he said.

Later, Anurag Thakur was greeted by the party workers in Dehra Assembly constituency of Kangra district.