Kangra airport to be made more tourist-friendly

A meeting of the Airport Advisory Committee was held in Dharamsala to discuss plans for making the Kangra Airport more user-friendly and improving facilities for passengers, particularly tourists. The meeting was chaired by Kangra BJP MP Rajiv Bhardwaj, with the presence of Congress Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania and Dharamsala MLA Sudhir Sharma.

Rajiv Bhardwaj highlighted that air services in Kangra are primarily used by tourists, urging officials to enhance the airport’s infrastructure to cater to the tourism industry. He also emphasised the need for a dedicated, well-trained security force and called for a shuttle bus service connecting the airport to key destinations. Bhardwaj also instructed the administration to address safety concerns, such as removing unsafe trees near the airport.

MLA Kewal Singh Pathania proposed the idea of promoting local culture within the airport by displaying cultural items and providing self-help groups with opportunities to sell traditional products like Kangra paintings and Chamba handkerchiefs. This would allow visitors to take home cultural souvenirs, which, in turn, would help support local artists and preserve the region’s cultural heritage. Pathania also suggested installing information boards about local temples and tourist sites at the airport.

Dharamsala MLA Sudhir Sharma emphasised the importance of expanding air connectivity to major cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Amritsar and Mumbai, as tourists from these areas form a significant portion of the visitors. Improved air connections would further boost tourism in the region.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa provided updates on the airport’s expansion plans, assuring the committee that the government is taking into consideration the needs and aspirations of the locals affected by the project.

Kangra Airport Director Dhirendra Singh briefed the committee on the current services and facilities offered at the airport and informed that the application window for self-help groups to set up stalls under the “Avsar Yojana” is currently open. This initiative aims to promote local handicrafts and products within the airport premises.