Gaggal airport expansion need of hour: Shanta Kumar

Our Correspondent

Palampur, February 17

Shanta Kumar, former member of Parliament and senior BJP leader, today asked the MP Kishan Kapoor, Dharamsala MLA Vishal Nehria and Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Rakesh Prajapati to convene a meeting of villagers with their representatives who have been opposing the expansion of the Gaggal airport.

He said the administration should take the concerned into confidence so that the execution of the project was not delayed.

Talking to The Tribune at his residence this afternoon, Shanta Kumar said the expansion of Gaggal airport was urgently needed.

It was in the interest of the state as it would boost the tourism industry which would fill the coffer of the state but at the same time the state government had to satisfy those who have to give up their century-old homes, business establishments and agriculture land.

He said it was obvious if the Gaggal airport was expanded it would give employment to hundreds of youth of the state. After expansion, various airlines would set up its offices at Dharamsala along with repair and maintenance facilities for aircraft giving jobs to local youths. He quoted the examples of Srinagar and the northeast where thousands of youth had been benefited.

He said the figures of unemployed youth in the state had touched a new high and only tourism industry could create employment opportunities like it is the case in Switzerland, Austria, Malaysia, Thailand and Mauritius. Therefore, one should not oppose the expansion. He also appealed to all political parties to forge consensus on this issue and persuade the villagers to allow the coming up of this project where union government would invest Rs 1,000 crores.

He also urged Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to personally look into the matter and provide adequate compensation to those who would be dislodged.

He said he knew well that when any new project was launched then residents of that area had to face inconvenience but there should not be any effort to stall such developmental projects which are always in the interest of the state.

‘Meeting with stakeholders needed’

The veteran leader has asked MP Kishan Kapoor, Dharamsala MLA Vishal Neharia and Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, Rakesh Prajapati to convene a meeting of villagers and their representatives who have been opposing the expansion of Gaggal airport