Task Force to hasten up completion of formalities for Mandi Airport

Onkareshwar Pandey

New Delhi, Sep 8, 2018: Union Government has announced to create a Task Force to prepare a report for early completion of all formalities related to laying of foundation stone of Airport at Mandi. The Task Force has been asked to submit its report within two months.

Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu said this while assuring the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister of active support of the Ministry in this regard. Union Minister Prabhu added that Central team visited the airport site immediately after the request of the Chief Minister. He directed the officers for the creation of Task Force immediately and to present the report so that all formalities could be completed within two months.

The issue was raised by HP Chief Minister Jairam Thakur when he met Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu at New Delhi on Saturday on the sidelines of National Executive meeting of BJP. Union Minister for Civil Aviation Prabhu also asked the officers to resolve the rest issues taken up by the Chief Minister immediately.

Jairam Thakur, in his meeting with Union Minister for Civil Aviation, requested to hasten up completion of formalities paving way for performing foundation stone of Airport at Mandi at the earliest.

CM Thakur also discussed the matter of expansion of Gaggal Airport and also apprised the minister that cooperation of Centre was needed to accelerate the pace of UDAAN –2 Project. He also requested for permission to use other airports of the state also for the same.

Chief Minister said that coming up an airport at Mandi will boost the tourism sector in the state besides facilitating tourists with easy access to the famous tourist destination of Manali and surrounding areas.

He said that state government would nominate Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary Tourism for the creation of a special task force to hasten up the process. This would hold daily communication with two officers nominated by the Ministry and discuss issues for early clearances and present a weekly report to the Chief Minister as well as Union Minister, he added.

Vinay Singh, Principal Private Secretary to the Chief Minister and Senior Officers of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.