Expedite Udan-II, Prabhu urged

Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 8

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has requested Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu to expedite formalities for the early launch of Udan–2 project in the state.

Thakur, who called on Prabhu in Delhi on Thursday, said the connectivity was a major issue in the state and the air connectivity was vital for boosting the tourism sector.

He apprised the Union minister that there was a delay in the submission of DPRs and the completion of other formalities in the project.

Thakur urged him to make stop-gap arrangements for starting helicopter services by operating intervening helipads for providing connectivity between Chandigarh–Baddi/Kasauli–Shimla –Kullu – Dharamsala.

The Chief Minister also took up the Mandi international airport issue and asked him to conduct the Obstacles Limitation Survey (OLS) at the earliest for hastening the process for further clearances.

He urged for looking into providing technical solutions for the expansion of the Shimla airstrip for facilitating bigger aircraft.

Prabhu assured that the OLS for setting up the international airport would be held at the earliest and directed officials of the ministry to work out an immediate solution for executing stop-gap arrangements and speedy launch of the Udan–2 project.

Shrikant Baldi, Additional Chief Secretary, Ram Subhag Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation, and Sanjay Kundu, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, were present.