The Bhuntar airport in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh is all set for expansion with the state government receiving forest clearance (under the Forest Conservation Act) from the Government of India for the same.
This will enable the widening of the airport to facilitate the landing of bigger aircraft, which will increase the footfall of tourists among other benefits for locals.
Disclosing this, Chief Minister, of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the airport would now meet the required regulatory standards of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and would have extra safety measures.
“This airport plays a key role in boosting the tourism activities in Kullu and Lahaul as it draws a significant number of tourists to explore nature's splendour, the richness of culture and traditions besides the religious sites,” said the Chief Minister.
He said that direct flights linking Amritsar to Kullu were also operational and the expansion will further add to the increased influx of both the domestic and the International travelers.
Sukhu said that along with the horticulture and hydropower sectors, tourism was the mainstay of the state's economy and thousands of families were associated with this key sector.
“The government is committed to widely promoting tourism and has allocated a substantial amount of Rs 3000 crore to the tourism sector. This government is making every possible endeavour to promote tourism and enhance the infrastructure for facilitating the tourists to offer them memorable experiences in Himachal Pradesh,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the state government was targeting to attract over five crore tourists every year in Himachal Pradesh and efforts were being made in this direction since the formation of the new government in the state.
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