Uttarakhand CM Dhami Advocates For Separate Aviation Policy For Hill States At Civil Aviation Conference 2025
The event witnessed participation of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, civil aviation ministers from various northern states
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has called for the formulation of a dedicated “Mountain Aviation Policy” tailored specifically for the unique needs of hill states. He made this demand while addressing the Civil Aviation Conference–2025, held in Dehradun on Friday. The high-level event witnessed the participation of Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, civil aviation ministers from various northern states, and senior officials.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dhami lauded the remarkable progress in India’s civil aviation sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He credited the UDAN scheme for significantly enhancing regional air connectivity, especially by linking small towns and remote areas, thereby not only democratizing air travel but also boosting local economies.
Highlighting Uttarakhand’s ongoing infrastructure development, the Chief Minister informed that 18 heliports are currently under development in the state, with operational services already started at 12 of these. He emphasized that helicopter services have become a vital lifeline for Uttarakhand, particularly for disaster management, healthcare delivery, and facilitating pilgrimage in the mountainous terrain.
Urging the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to give special attention to the hill states, the Chief Minister proposed key components for the proposed Mountain Aviation Policy, including:
- Special financial assistance for hill states
- Subsidies for helicopter and small aircraft operations
- Development of a suitable Air Traffic Control (ATC) network for hilly regions
- Enhanced weather forecasting infrastructure
- Advance slotting mechanisms
- Pre-disaster preparedness protocols for aviation
He also appealed to aviation operators to undertake specialized pilot training programs for mountain flying, ensure strict adherence to safety protocols, and maintain the highest standards of passenger safety.
The conference was also attended by Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Rajasthan Cabinet Minister Gautam Kumar, Haryana Cabinet Minister Vipul Goyal, Chief Secretary of Uttarakhand Anand Bardhan and senior officials from participating states.
