Himachal Pradesh has demanded Rs 1,000 crore for expansion of Kullu and Kangra airports for better connectivity within the state as well as for tourist destinations.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj while participating as representative of Chief Minister of HP, in the meetings of State Finance Ministers as well as GST Council held at New Delhi, demanded Rs 500 crore each for expansion and upgradation of Kullu and Kangra airports besides Rs 426 crore for Shimla airport.
He said that an investment of Rs 2500 crore was required for construction of new green field airport fit for landing wide bodied aircrafts in Mandi district. This would lead to a better connectivity within the state as well as for tourist destinations, he added. He also requested to bring GST on components and materials used in construction of hydro power projects to be brought at par with Wind and Solar power projects as they have also been classified as renewable energy. He urged the Centre for construction of proposed Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line besides converting Pathankot-Joginder rail line to broad gauge and linking both with cent percent Central sharing. The Himachal minister requested to declare these as defence projects of national importance. He demanded sufficient funds for rail network in Union budget for the state and demanded that expansion of rail network in Himalayan states may be considered in core schemes and may form part of national development agenda and sharing pattern of construction of rail lines may be kept in the ratio of 90:10 for Centre and state.