Uttarakhand air services take big leap with the launch of UDAN’s Dehradun-Pithoragarh air services

Domestic air service from Dehradun to Pithoragarh was formally started on Thursday with the inaugural flight of 42 seater chopper flagged off by the Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The service will reduce the travel time between Dehradun to the Kumaon hills in Pithoragarh from current 8-9 hours go one and half hour.

The long-awaited air service between Dehradun and Pithoragarh was inaugurated by Dhami amid the ongoing navratri festivity. Flagging off the 42-seater chopper, he said, “Introduction of air service to Pithoragarh will reduce the travel time between the two cities to just one hour. This service also holds immense strategic importance for the region.”

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“There was a time when air travel was considered a luxury limited only to the elite and wealthy persons. However in the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, even a common citizen can now afford to fly.”

Attributing the success of domestic air services to the Centre-sponsored UDAN Scheme 2016, the Chief minister said it was launched to revolutionise civil aviation by connecting small towns, remote areas and international border regions of the country. The scheme ensures that afforable air services is available to the masses.

Dhami emphasised that for a mountainous region like Uttarakhand, domestic air service is not a mere means of transportation but a lifeline. It’s proving to be highly effective, ranging from delivering essential supplies to inaccessible remote areas to transportation of critically ill patients for speedy medical help.

According to Dhami, currently, 26 air routes are operational in the state under UDAN. Launched in 2023 flights are operational on six domestic air routes under this state-led project of the UDAN. Dhami added strength of helipads expanded from 60 to 118 in the last four years under UDAN.