The State Government has taken a concrete step towards facilitating the operation of sea planes on the Tehri dam reservoir. On Wednesday, a tripartite agreement for establishment of a water-aerodrome on the Tehri reservoir was signed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Airports Authority of India and the State Government. With the agreement signed in presence of Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, Uttarakhand has become the first Indian state to enter an agreement for establishment of a water-aerodrome. Another agreement was also signed for communication, navigation, surveillance and air traffic management services for successful operation of air services at Nainisaini in Pithoragarh.
Expressing happiness at signing of the two agreements, the CM thanked the Government of India. Referring to this as a historical opportunity for the State, Rawat said that a big step has been taken towards start of sea plane flights at Tehri lake. This will boost tourism in Tehri and enhance tourism related activities in the region, benefitting the locals involved in tourism business. The CM further said that Pithoragarh is a remote region of the State which is also strategically important. The start of air service at Nainisaini will result in major convenience to both the local residents and the tourists. The State government is developing Pithoragarh as a tourist destination with plans for setting up a tulip garden on 50 hectare area which will be the biggest tulip garden in India.
Civil Aviation ministry joint secretary Usha Padhee said that this tripartite agreement is also important for the Government of India. It is for the first time that a State has signed an agreement for establishing a water aerodrome. She said that the CM and State government have been active in implementation of the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) scheme. The central government bears full expense on airport development under UDAN. Padhee further said that the operation of flights from Pithoragarh has been taken up very seriously. The Dehradun airport is also being developed further with the terminal capacity to be increased from 150 to 1,800.
State civil aviation secretary Dilip Jawalkar said that about 2.5 hectare land near Tehri lake has been identified for the water aerodrome. The facility will be developed as a greenfield airport.
