New terminal building of Dehradun Airport inaugurated
By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 14 Feb: The newly constructed terminal building Phase-2 at Jolly Grant Airport, here, was inaugurated today. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present on the occasion, while Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia virtually inaugurated the Terminal Building Phase-2.
The new terminal building has been equipped with modern technology and facilities. It provides a glimpse of the art and culture of Uttarakhand. It has been constructed at a cost of Rs 486 crores.
Speaking at the time of inauguration, Union Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia, in virtual mode, stated that it is a great pleasure for him to inaugurate the new terminal of Jolly Grant Airport in the presence of the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. He added that this inauguration is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of expanding aviation services to remote areas. Scindia added that the new building will establish new dimensions in regional prosperity.
With the inauguration of the terminal building Phase-2, the area of the airport has increased to 42,776 square meters.
Scindia said that, for him, this moment is emotional and important from many aspects. He recalled his old connection with Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. He received education in Uttarakhand for 5 years. The spiritual power of Uttarakhand is unique in the entire world, he declared. Today, air services are running from this airport of Dehradun to 13 cities of the country.
Scindia added that action has been initiated by his Ministry for the Pithoragarh-Hindon air service. He said that helicopters for emergency medical services are being introduced in the country from AIIMS Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. Arrangements will be made to bring patients by helicopter from within a radius of 150 kilometres. He said that this airport will be connected to other parts of Uttarakhand faster with the help of the Chief Minister. The initiative has been taken to develop three airports in Uttarakhand – Dehradun, Pantnagar and Pithoragarh. He said that there was only one heliport in Uttarakhand in 2014 but now there are 10 heliports in the state. Under the UDAN 5.0 plan, a target has been set to build 21 heliports in the state.
Addressing the public from the stage at the program, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that air services in Uttarakhand have been strengthened due to special efforts of Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The Civil Aviation Ministry is working rapidly under Scindia’s leadership. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister with the support of the Government of India, the state government is trying to convert challenges into opportunities. Today the authority is providing cheap air services to the people from outside, also.
CM Dhami said that, at present, 13 airports are being constructed in the state. The government is making every effort is to provide transport services of all kinds to the tourists. Continuous efforts are being made to upgrade Jolly Grant Airport to international standards. Under this plan, a new terminal has been inaugurated. The state government has also completed all the formalities to make Pantnagar Airport of international standard. Recently, an air service has also started for Pithoragarh.
Dhami urged Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia to start an air service from Pithoragarh to Hindon (NCR) also. He reminded that, a few months ago, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Adi Kailash at a height of 18,000 feet, after which the number of tourists is continuously increasing there. PM Modi has given a new identity to the tourist sites of Uttarakhand, he claimed.
The Chief Minister said that in order to increase the air service within the state, apart from the Regional Air Connectivity Scheme, other heliports will also be constructed by the State Government in Gaujiana (Ghansali), Gairsain (Chamoli), Deghat-Sealdhe (Almora), Jakhol and Joshiada (Uttarkashi) and in Didihat (Pithoragarh). Along with this, the state is also offering Joy Ride Service and Himalayan Darshan Service to visit various tourist centres of the state. With the commencement of these services, tourism in the state will get a further boost.
It may be recalled that, earlier, the old terminal building had an area of 28,729 square meters. The new terminal building has 10 times more capacity. This airport will serve 3240 passengers simultaneously during peak hours and will be able to handle 47 lakh passengers every year. The new airport has a runway of 2140 metres long and has an apron with a total of 20 parking spaces. For passenger amenities, the new terminal building has 48 check-in counters, 4 conveyor belts, 12 baggage X-ray machines and parking facility for 500 cars. Arrangements have also been made for specially-abled people in the terminal building. It has facilities like ramp, lift and specially made toilets for specially-abled persons.
This new terminal building has been constructed over 42,776 square metres at a cost of Rs 486 crores. This new terminal building is a combination of culture, nature and modern architecture which will provide new strength to industry, employment and tourism in the area.
Haridwar MP and former CM Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal and local MLA of Doiwala Brij Mohan Gairola were also present on the occasion.
