The Dehradun–Pithoragarh–Dehradun flight service was inaugurated by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami at Jolly Grant Airport on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, Dhami said the newly launched 42-seater aircraft service between Dehradun and Pithoragarh will reduce travel time between the two cities to nearly one hour. He said the service holds strategic importance for the state, especially considering the geographical challenges of the region.
Dhami said there was a time when air travel was seen as a luxury meant only for the wealthy. However, he noted that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, flying has become affordable even for common citizens. Referring to the UDAN scheme launched in 2016, he said it has transformed the civil aviation sector by connecting small towns, remote regions and border areas through affordable air services.
He further said the Centre has recently approved UDAN 2.0, which aims to develop 100 new airports and 200 heliports across the country over the next decade with an estimated investment of about Rs 29,000 crore. The expansion is intended to improve regional connectivity, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, and make air travel accessible in remote and hilly regions.
Dhami highlighted that for a mountainous state like Uttarakhand, air connectivity is not merely a mode of transportation but a lifeline. He said air services help deliver essential supplies to remote areas and enable quick transport of critically ill patients to major hospitals for timely medical care.
He said at present, 26 air routes are operational in the state under the UDAN scheme. To further strengthen connectivity in remote areas, the “Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme” was launched in 2023, under which flights are currently operating on six routes. Over the past four years, the number of heliports has increased from two to twelve, while helipads have expanded from 60 to 118. Uttarakhand has also got national recognition as the “Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem.”
Dhami said the new Dehradun-Pithoragarh flight service will allow residents of Pithoragarh to reach Dehradun within an hour, giving a major boost to trade, tourism and local economic activity. He added that border regions had remained neglected for years but are now being brought into the mainstream of development through joint efforts of the Central and state governments. Helicopter services between Pithoragarh and Munsyari have also been started as part of this initiative.
He also informed that the government is developing Pithoragarh Airport with an investment of Rs 450 crore. He said on the State Foundation Day, in the presence of the Prime Minister, an MoU was signed between the Airports Authority of India and the Uttarakhand government for acquisition of Naini Saini Airport, which will benefit the region in the coming years.
On the occasion, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu conveyed his best wishes through a video message and assured continued support from the Centre for strengthening aviation infrastructure and connectivity in Uttarakhand.
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