Put Uttaranchal on air map: Tiwari

Desperate to improve air connectivity to Uttaranchal ahead of the Ardh Kumbh in Hardwar, Chief Minister N.D. Tiwari has asked the Prime Mini...

Desperate to improve air connectivity to Uttaranchal ahead of the Ardh Kumbh in Hardwar, Chief Minister N.D. Tiwari has asked the Prime Minister to intervene and get the Jolly Grant runway in Dehra Dun extended on priority. If that’s not possible early — six months from now, it will be time for the Ardh Kumbh — Tiwari wants the introduction of ATR flights in his state, similar to the services being operated in the North East.

In his two meetings with Vajpayee in the last month, Tiwari has been pointing to the ATR service. ‘‘We have the Ardh Kumbh approaching and there’s going to be heavy passenger traffic. If the runway at Dehra Dun can’t be extended ahead of the mela to accommodate bigger aircraft, at least the ATR service should be started on the lines of the North-East,’’ Tiwari told The Indian Express.

Uttaranchal has been raising the issue of the Jolly Grant runway extension for some time now. It’s learnt that necessary land acquisition and other works amounting to about Rs 15 crore was over in February. But there’s a hitch in undertaking construction: the Airports Authority of India is yet to clear the proposal.

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According to AAI officials, the sector appears to be unviable for operating bigger aircraft. But Tiwari argues only a few Dorniers — each can carry some 20 passengers — fly to Dehra Dun. ‘‘These are infrequent flights and cannot be a yardstick for passenger traffic. If the AAI has an objection, they should tell us. Operate ATRs for a duration and assess the traffic,’’ Tiwari said.

In Delhi, Tiwari also raised the matter with Civil Aviation Minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy. With the Ardh Kumbh approaching, Uttaranchal officials feel the 52-seater ATRs should be made available as they can operate on the existing airstrip. This apart, Uttaranchal has submitted a plan to develop Pantnagar airport and smaller airstrips to attract more tourists.

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