The State Government which is desperately seeking investment in the industry sector to boost its dwindling economy, does not seem to be concerned about offering a level playing field in terms of basic infrastructure to the investors in the state.
To have regular flight from Pantnagar airport in Udham Singh Nagar has always been on the top of the charter of entrepreneurs' demands.However, the State Government seems to have badly failed to run a regular air transport service from the Pantnagar airbase in Terai pocket of Udham Singh Nagar.
What is worrisome is that despite the persistent demand from the entrepreneurs and other sectors, including tourism, for regular flights from the Pantnagar airport, no regular air service from this airport has come up after the private run Kingfisher air service was suspended about three years ago.Mention worthy, a state like Uttarakhand badly needs better air connectivity. It can come handy not only to
provide modern and fast transport services to the people, particularly the commercial sector, but can also prove to be useful in dealing with disaster like situations during the critical times.
The demand for regular flights is being persistently raised by the entrepreneurs of SIIDCUl located in Udham Singh Nagar. If the State Government is serious to boost the industrial sector in the State it must put in place the basic infrastructure facilities like better transport services, including air connectivity, said Darshan Kumar, an entrepreneur, adding that regrettably enough, nothing is coming up on the matter. A S Nayal, Divisional Commissioner (Kumaon) said the matter regarding commencement of regular flight from Pantnagar airport would be taken up with the Government, while echoing the entrepreneurs’ demand for the same. Since SIIDCUl is also located in the same area the regular flight from this airport would help the industrialists a great deal, he said.
Regular air service from the Pantnagar airport will not just help boost the tourism industry but it would also provide better transport connectivity to the entrepreneurs, the Commissioner of Kumaon maintained.At the same time, he also asked the officials concerned of the Pantnagar airport to equip the airport with necessary basic infrastructure so as to entice the private aviation to evince interests in air services from the Pantnagar airport.