Centre Says Runway Expansion Not Feasible at Shimla and Kullu Airports.

The central government has ruled out runway expansion at Shimla’s Jubbarhatti airport and Kullu’s Bhuntar airport, citing difficult terrain and limited land availability as major constraints, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed the Rajya Sabha recently.

In a written reply to a question by Himachal Pradesh Rajya Sabha member Harsh Mahajan, the minister said expanding the existing airports, including extending runways, was not feasible due to the challenging topography of the region.

Mohol said the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had prepared a proposal for the expansion of Kangra airport following a request from the Himachal Pradesh government. For the project, AAI sought the transfer of 369.82 acres of land from the state government, but the required land is yet to be handed over.

The minister was responding to queries on airport infrastructure development and modernisation plans in Himachal Pradesh.

He said Shimla airport currently has air connectivity with Delhi and Dharamshala, while Kangra’s Gaggal airport is connected to Delhi, Jewar, Chandigarh and Shimla. Kullu airport operates flights to Amritsar, Delhi and Jaipur.

Mohol also highlighted efforts to strengthen regional air connectivity in the state, stating that 40 routes have been operationalised in Himachal Pradesh under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) — UDAN.