Rescheduling completion deadline time and again seems to have become synonymous with the Nainisaini airstrip in Pithoragarh which remains pending for the past about two decades leading to delaying facilitation of air connectivity to this Himalayan border.
However, the officials concerned have claimed that construction works are now going on in full swing to complete the air strip at the earliest. But the fact that it has missed many deadlines in the past does not inspire confidence.
Earlier, the deadline lapsed in March this year. Then it was extended to April 30. However, things were rescheduled again as Uttarakhand Infrastructure Development Corporation (UIDC), Pithoragarh which is constructing the Rs 48.19 crore project further extended the deadline to May 15. Now, UIDC has set August 31 as a new deadline to complete the project. Mentionworthy, given China’s infrastructural development mainly in terms of air and surface transport connectivity along the Himalayan border, it is imperative to have a toehold on this strategically important northern front in Pithoragarh for India.
The fact is that India still approaches the upper Himlayan border with Tibet/China through narrow by-foot lanes due to poor road connectivity in Pithoragarh.
Further, presently there is no airstrip across Kumaon division except the Pantnagar airport in Udham Singh Nagar. The completion of the airstrip in Pithoragarh is thus vital for both strategic and transport points of view.
When completed, the airstrip known as Nainisani airstrip can facilitate flight of a 48- seater aircraft.
Apart from its strategic importance, the Nainisani airbase may also come in handy to deal with any natural disaster like situation in Pithoragarh region which is considered one of the most vulnerable parts of the Himalayan state from natural disaster point of view.
More importantly, better air connectivity may also boost Uttarakhand’s tourism industry in border district Pithoragarh, maintained the people associated with the tourism sector here.
Shushil Kumar, district magistrate, Pithoragarh, has directed the UIDC officials to expedite construction so as to ensure its completion without further delay.