Funds sanctioned for 2 helipads in Una

Our Correspondent

Una, September 3

In pursuance of the state government’s decision to develop a helipad in each Assembly segment, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism and Civil Aviation Department has sanctioned funds for two helipads in Una, while the process for constructing two more is likely to be initiated soon.

As per the information gathered from the Assistant Tourism Development Officer, Ravi Dhiman, who is responsible for Una and Hamirpur districts, helipad sites at Pubowal in Haroli segment and Thanakalan in Kutlehar segment have been finalised and the first installment of funds have been released.

A sum of Rs 87.14 lakh will be spent on developing the helipad at Pubowal. The cost of developing the helipad in Thanakalan will be Rs 30.43 lakh. While Rs 30 lakhs have been released for the Pubowal helipad, Rs 10 lakhs have been released for the infrastructure in Thanakalan, said the officer.

The department is also working on the site selection process for a helipad in Gagret segment, which was likely to be finalised within a week. Meanwhile, on August 26, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, during initiating developmental works in Chintpurni segment via video conferencing, had announced a new helipad at Dhalwari village to promote religious tourism.

In Una, the fifth Assembly segment in the district, the helicopter land will be located either at the Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium located in the city or at the Police Lines ground in Lalsingi village, about 3 km from Una. During that time, the ongoing activities in these grounds will have to be suspended.

Two more sites to be finalised soon

• Una: To be located either at the Indira Gandhi Sports Stadium in the city or at Police Lines in Lalsingi village
• Gagret: Site selection process to be finalised in a week
• Haroli: Rs87.14 lakh will be spent on the helipad at Pubowal
• Kutlehar: Rs30.43 lakh sanctioned for helipad at Thanakalan
• Chintpurni: Helipad to be developed at Dhalwari village