U’khand: IAF, AAI to develop airstrips at Indo-China border in Gunji

The Uttarakhand government will hand over its Chinyalisaur and Gauchar airstrips to the Indian Air Force while the Airports Authority of India will take over the Pithoragarh airport. The step is to expand and strengthen air services in border areas and meet strategic needs of the country.

In an important move, the Pushkar Singh Dhami government has decided to relinquish its hold on Chinyalisaur airstrip in Uttarkashi and Gauchar in Chamoli district to hand over them to IAF for strategic reasons. It is notable that both airstrips are still being used by IAF for exercises and other purposes as per its needs. IAF fighter planes and helicopters routinely land and take off from here mainly as these two districts share a long border with China.

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According to the officials from the department of civil aviation, the Uttarakhand government has given in-principle approval of the operation and management power of the two airstrips to the Indian Air Force.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed his government’s decision and said “expanding air services network in the border state is necessary, as it will serve the needs of local residents as well as strategic requirements of the nation. The cooperation of the IAF will also be sought in this direction. Besides this the Pithoragarh Airport will also be expanded to accommodate more traffic in future.”

In another important move, looking at the growing air services from Pithoragarh Airport, the Dhami government will allow the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to operate it in the coming days. Officials in the state civil aviation department informed that an MoU has been signed between Uttarakhand government and AAI to take over management of Pithoragarh Airport from the state. Besides this plan is also afoot to invest ₹450 crore for development and expansion of the Airport.

According to the Chief Minister, the Uttarakhand government will also build a one-kilometer airstrip at Gunji in Pithoragarh, considered as gateway to Kailash Mansarovar and Tibet in China. Officials informed that Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) will start air service between Gunji and renowned pilgrimage centre Adi Kailash.

It is significant that currently Adi Kailash is also being used as an important location for aerial worship of Kailash Mansarovar from Indian territory. It was used mainly till China did not allow Indian pilgrims to visit Mount Kailash.