Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday called on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman at New Delhi and requested special consideration for Himachal Pradesh in fiscal transfers from the Central Government.He also requested for providing funds for the proposed Greenfield Airport at Nagchala.The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister to accord speedy approval to the ADB project worth 233.22 million US dollars submitted by the State Government for development of tourism infrastructure in the state.He said that Himachal attracts huge tourists round the year and in order to create world class infrastructure to tourists, the State Government has prepared a project for developing tourist infrastructure with the financial assistance of ADB.
The State Government has undertaken extensive consultations before submitting the project however the project approval is still pending in the Department of Economic Affairs, he said.The Chief Minister requested the Union Minister for expediting sanction for the external financial assistance.
THAKUR MEETS CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER
In a separate meeting with the Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, the Chief Minister requested to expedite radar survey of Greenfield Airport at Nagchala in district Mandi.
Thakur said that the proposed airport would go a long way in promoting high end tourism in the state besides serving as a base for the Air Force in case of requirement.
He also requested to complete all survey formalities at the earliest besides providing financial assistance to the State Government for moving ahead. The CM also urged for expansion of the runways of Shimla and Gaggal airports besides resuming air services at Shimla airport.During the meeting, the Union Minister directed the officers of the Airports Authority of India to expedite the process for concerned projects.