North News
Shimla, August 24
In an effort to boost tourism in Himachal Pradesh, the state government is set to introduce a new flight route connecting Chandigarh, Kullu, and Dharamsala. The discussions are underway with airlines and other stakeholders to launch this route, which aims to enhance accessibility between two of the State’s key tourist destinations. The direct flight between Kullu and Dharamsala is expected to significantly benefit the tourism sector, meeting a long-standing demand from visitors.
Sharing the details in an official statement, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted the government’s dedication to attracting high-end tourists to the State. “Strengthening air connectivity is crucial to achieving our tourism goals, and reducing travel time and costs for tourists is essential,” he said. “Himachal Pradesh is blessed with breathtaking landscapes and has immense potential for tourism. Systematic development of tourism infrastructure will not only increase tourist footfalls but also bolster the local economy. The more tourists we attract, the more benefits will accrue to the people of the State,” he further said.
Thanks to the concerted efforts of the state government, four flight routes are currently operational, linking various tourist destinations in Himachal Pradesh with other parts of the country. The Delhi-Shimla-Delhi and Shimla-Dharamsala-Shimla routes operate daily, while the Amritsar-Shimla-Amritsar and Amritsar-Kullu-Amritsar routes are operational three days a week.
In addition to expanding flight routes, the state government is also developing new heliports to further improve air connectivity for tourists. Rs. 13 crore has been allocated for the construction of heliports in Rakkar and Palampur in Kangra district, Chamba, and Rekong Peo in Kinnaur district.
“The hilly terrain of Himachal Pradesh makes the construction of heliports particularly beneficial,” said the Chief Minister. “These heliports will attract more tourists by saving travel time and also provide assistance to local residents in emergencies. The state government is adopting a focused approach to establish these heliports, ensuring that each district headquarters is connected to this facility,” he added.
Furthermore, the state government has declared Kangra district as the tourism capital of Himachal Pradesh and is upgrading the necessary tourism infrastructure in the district. The expansion of Kangra airport is currently underway, with the land acquisition process initiated. The Chief Minister noted that this expansion will reduce travel costs by allowing larger aircraft to land, thereby strengthening the tourism sector in the region and creating new job opportunities for local residents.
