Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday called on Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Jyotiraditya M. Scindia at New Delhi and discussed the proposed expansion of Kangra airport from 1376 meters to 3010 meters for the operation of A320 aircraft. He requested that necessary direction be given to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for starting expansion work and added that the state government will complete the land acquisition process.

The state government intends to construct heliports in district headquarters as well as in tribal areas, said  Sukhu. He also urged to speed up the process for construction of 9 proposed heliports in the state in the first phase and added that these heliports are significant for boosting tourism in the tribal and remote areas as well as to provide emergency medical services and evacuation of local people and tourists in case if stranded in snow bound areas.

Sukhu also discussed operationalisation of Sanjauli heliport and requested to start additional flights from Chandigarh to Kullu to facilitate tourists. He added that at present three flights are operational for Shimla, four for Dharamshala but only one for Kullu which is not enough keeping in view the high number of tourist influx.

The Union Minister apprised that heliports for Rakkad, Palampur, Chamba and Reckong Peo were being considered under UDAAN and rest of the heliports would be considered under next phase. He also directed the officers of the Ministry to speed up the process of operationalisation of Sanjauli heliport. He assured of all possible support to the state.


CM calls on Union Power Minister on royalty in power projects

During his Delhi visit, Sukhu also called on Union Minister for Power, New and Renewable Energy R.K Singh and held deliberations about protecting the interests of the state due to the revenue losses likely to be incurred due to deferred royalty in the power projects executed by SJVN and NHPC. He requested for free power as per the state's power policy and emphasized that these power projects should come back to the state after forty years.

The Union Minister agreed in principle that the state should get at least 12 percent minimum royalty and suggested a review of royalty and all other points of concern of the State Government by the team of officers from both sides with the Central Electricity Authority as an independent authority so that the state could get its fair share. He agreed for completion of the review by 20th January on the request of the Chief Minister.

Sukhu also requested for enhancing the installation of smart meters in the state in a phased manner besides enhancing the time limit for installation and not linking the same as a precondition for releasing funds by GoI for strengthening power infrastructure. The Union Minister agreed for the same. He also urged for fulfilling the announcements made by the Union Minister during his previous visit to tribal areas and also requested to release ten crores for two solar power projects of 400 kw each in Pangi for which the Union Minister agreed.