Planning expansion of heliports in hilly states: Union Minister Ram Mohan Naidu
Naidu stated that under the Regional Connectivity Scheme, several airports from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh are being built.
'We already have a plan for the expansion of heliports in hilly states. Under our Regional Connectivity Scheme, several airports from J&K to Arunachal Pradesh are being built', Ram Mohan Naidu told reporters in Dehradun.
The Union Minister stated that there are 18 heliports in Uttarakhand, and as far as safety is concerned, the weather conditions and geographical terrains pose difficulties in the operations of helicopters.
Ram Mohan Naidu stressed that India is currently studying 'world-class' standards and informed about suggestions regarding increasing Air Traffic Control (ATC) in Uttarakhand.
'18 heliports are also here. As far as safety is concerned, weather conditions and geographical terrain pose difficulties in helicopter operations. So, in this connection, we are studying world-class standards. We have received 2-3 suggestions that there should be more ATC systems. Setting up ATC is also a challenge due to the geographical terrain. So, we are also trying to have even more impact of ATC in the Char Dham network', the Union Minister said.
The Union Minister stated that the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are holding discussions to improve operations in Uttarakhand and the safety of the devotees coming for the Char Dham Yatra
'So, we have started the efforts. Changes, if any, regarding the arrangement for pilots or the frequency of helicopter operations have to be made. Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority and the Ministry of Civil Aviation are holding detailed discussions to make operations better here. When it begins again in September, decisions will have been made by then to have accurate and better operations here. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of devotees coming for the Char Dham Yatra. There is no compromise in safety', Ram Mohan Naidu told reporters.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday participated in the Northern Region Ministers Conference on Civil Aviation in Dehradun. Following the event, CM Dhami asserted that his government will discuss increasing the air connectivity in the northern part of India.
He expressed happiness over Uttarakhand being chosen as the host of the conference and mentioned that it shows the Union Government's interest towards increasing air services in the state.
'We will discuss how to expand air services in the northern regions of the country, how to increase facilities, and how to expand airports... Uttarakhand being chosen as the host for the conference shows that in a border area like ours, the central government is making serious efforts to increase air services', CM Dhami said while addressing the reporters in Dehradun.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
16 minutes ago
- The Hindu
MEA says govt. has ‘no position' on Dalai Lama succession; Rijiju clarifies that he spoke as a ‘devotee'
In its first official statement over the Dalai Lama's succession plan announcement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday (July 4, 2025) said that the government 'does not take any position' on such religious issues. The statement appeared to distance the government from the comments made on Thursday by Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju who had openly backed the Tibetan spiritual leader's right to decide on his own succession. On Friday, Mr. Rijiju clarified that he had spoken as a 'follower and a devotee', as he is a practicing Buddhist himself, even as the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent out a strong statement, warning India about 'interference' in China's 'domestic affairs'. 'We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution,' MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, while adding: 'Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion.' The spokesperson also said that the government has 'always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so', indicating its support for the Tibetan community living in India led by the Dalai Lama to practice their faith. The MEA statement followed by an announcement by the Dalai Lama, who turns 90 on July 6, asserting that the line of Tibetan Buddhism's most senior pontiff would continue after him. In his announcement, the Dalai Lama told Buddhist leaders gathered for the birthday celebrations in Dharamshala that his successor, or reincarnation would be identified by the Gaden Phodrang trust set up by him in consultation with other leaders, as the 'sole authority'. This is the clearest signal the Tibetan spiritual leader has given about the issue thus far and negates China's role in appointing the next Dalai Lama. The Chinese government insists any appointment must be approved by the government in Beijing, citing a traditional 'golden urn' process dating back to the Qing dynasty. On Thursday, Mr. Rijiju, one of the ministers who will attend the Dalai Lama's birthday celebrations, had said that 'nobody else has the right to decide' on the succession issue except the Dalai Lama 'and the conventions in place'. In a sharp response to the statement as reported in Reuters, the Chinese MFA in Beijing on Friday said that China hopes India 'will stop using Tibet issues to interfere in domestic affairs and avoid affecting the development of ties'. The strong response is indicating the current round of engagements between Delhi and Beijing to restore ties after the standoff at the Line of Actual Control was resolved last October while Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping met. Speaking to journalists again on Friday, Mr. Rijiju repeated his support for the Dalai Lama's statement, but added that 'those who believe in His Holiness the Dalai Lama, all want that he should decide matters according to his wishes'. 'The Government of India or I don't need to comment,' he said adding that he did not wish to respond to the statement from China. 'I speak as a follower (anuyayi), I am a devotee,' Mr. Rijiju said.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Dhami calls for separate aviation policy for Himalayan states
Dehradun: Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has urged the Union civil aviation ministry to formulate a separate aviation policy for Himalayan states. Such a policy should include provisions like special financial assistance, operational subsidies, appropriate Air Traffic Control (ATC) network for mountain areas, accurate weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, the CM said. At the Minister Conference on Civil Aviation (north) on Friday, Dhami also requested all operators to ensure special pilot training for mountain flights, strict adherence to safety standards and passengers' safety. "Through the UDAN scheme , connecting small towns and remote areas by air has not only made air travel accessible to common citizens but also boosted the local economy," said Dhami, adding that currently 18 heliports are being developed in Uttarakhand and services have already started at 12 of these. Emphasising that helicopter services in mountain states like Uttarakhand have become not just a means of transportation but a lifeline, Dhami said, "Be it disaster management, healthcare or pilgrimage, helicopter service has provided unprecedented convenience." Joint secretary of Union civil aviation ministry Asangba Chuba Ao said 625 air routes under regional connectivity scheme have been connected under the UDAN scheme so far, benefiting over 1.5 crore passengers. He said a modified UDAN scheme will be launched to benefit four crore passengers in the next 10 years and connect 120 destinations. Joint secretary of Union civil aviation ministry Madhu Sudan Shankar emphasised the need for adequate human resources for air connectivity operations -- from pilots and technicians to ground staff and ATC. Shankar said India is projected to become the third-largest aviation market by 2030 (according to IATA). The number of airports in India is expected to increase from the current 162 to 350-400 by 2047. According to a leading aircraft manufacturing company, the country will require approximately 45,000 technicians for aviation maintenance by 2040, necessitating the establishment of training institutes in states, Shankar added.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Naxalism confined to just five, six districts: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday declared that Naxalism is now confined to just five to six districts in the country and even in such places, it will not continue for a long Naxal hubs have been transformed into educational hubs. The area known as Red Corridor is now rapidly changing into a growth corridor, he said, speaking at the 128th birth anniversary celebrations of freedom fighter Alluri Sitarama Raju organised by Kshatriya Seva Samiti (TG & AP) and Union Ministry of said the government has taken a decision that by March 31 next year, the entire country would be to Operation Sindoor , he emphasised that only terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan was targeted, avoiding civil or military establishments, and adhering to ethical lauded Sitarama Raju, the legendary freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh, as an embodiment of courage, duty and 'karma'.Similarily, the country's brave soldiers demonstrated courage, duty and 'karma' in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, he from Ramayan, he said, during 'Lanka Dahan', Lord Hanuman hit only those who hit the country demonstrated courage during Operation Sindoor and targeted only terror structures in Pakistan and not civilian or military establishments, he said."I would also like to say, if any such mischief (Pahalgam terror attack) takes place in future, we will give befitting to reply to terrorism with the same strength," he life of Sitarama Raju, who hails from Andhra Pradesh, is also an example of social unity, he said new technology, infrastructure development and digital revolution are very much needed for development in the context of a 'New India', but it is the "cultural soul" which can keep the country affirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is working to realise the vision of Sitarama Raju on tribal development through various central tenet of 'Viksit Bharat', he explained, involves taking pride in its cultural heritage, while upholding constitutional values and being inspired by the dreams of the also urged everyone to take the life of Sitarama Raju to every school and on the occasion, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said Sitarama Raju, in the short span of his life (less than 30 years), stood as an inspiration and his memory makes the countrymen feel Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy, Karnataka Minister Bose Raju, former Union Minister P Ashok Gajapati Raju and other leaders were present on the occasion.
