Gaggal airport widened for landing 50-seater planes

Vibhor Mohan
Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, May 25
Air connectivity to district Kangra will get boost as airport in Gaggal, near here, is set to accommodate 50-seater planes, it will bring down air fare to almost half of what passengers pay for a Delhi-Kangra flight in present 18-seater Dornier service.

At present Jackson Airways offers a Delhi-Bhuntar (Kulu)-Kangra flight thrice a week and a Delhi-Kangra ticket costs Rs 5,043. But once 50-seater service begins, the fare is likely to be reduced to half of it, which would boost tourism in McLeodganj and adjoining spots, in the district.

Mr Sandeep Saini, Assistant Manager of the Gaggal Airport, said passengers would make a beeline for an aerial route to Kangra if the flight was made economical by reducing airfare to almost half. “Talks are on with Deccan Airways for starting a 50-seater service and a decision is expected soon. Frequency of flights in the new set up will depend on the service provider,” he says.

Deputy Commissioner Bharat Khera said the airstrip, which earlier was 3,900 feet long, had been extended to 4,500 feet making it longer than airstrips in Shimla and Kulu. Permission has also been taken from the Forest Department for felling of trees near the airstrip.

Mr Saini added the airport buildings had also been spruced up and a passengers terminal added to it. An Air traffic control tower has also been put up in accordance with the new set up.

One big hurdle to the expansion of the airport was the road that connects Dharamsala with the Pathankot-Manali highway. The district administration has now acquired land for the construction of an alternative road, work on which bas also begun.

Some area around the air-strip has to be kept vacant and the existing road was too close to the runway but the alternative route would soon be completed,” said Mr Saini.

Even though poor air-connectivity has always been a hurdle to the promotion of tourism in the area, the need for a proper airport was highlighted during the India-Pakistan Cricket Test match in 2004, when the Pakistani team had to be brought in two separate 18-seater planes as the air-strip was narrow for a bigger plane.

Regarding safety measures, we already have the system put in place and have sufficient fire staff. The security of the airport, which at present with the state Police Department, might be handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force after the expansion,” said Mr Saini.

 

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10 Comments

  1. says: Rampal mob-09999953405

    sir, iam diploma holder in fire service from nagpur and six month diploma in industrial safety from chennai

  2. says: ARVIND KUMAR RANA

    SIR, I WANT A JOB IN THE AIRPORT AT GAGGAL. SIR IAM PURSUING MY 2ND YAR OF TRAVEL TOURISM MANAGEMENT FROM PUNE UNIVRSITY.AND IAM 20 YEARS OLD.SIR MY IS TO BE A AIR TICKETING OFFICER FOR WHICH I WILL FUTHER DO IATA.
    PLEASE AT LEAST GIVE ME A CHANCE TO SHOW MY TALLENT.

  3. says: Jaskirat Sandhu

    Where can I contact the airlnes flying to Gaggal from Delhi. Is there any telephone number where I can call to but the tickets…

    From Calgary

  4. says: meelin gurung

    respected sir,
    this is meelin gurung from HP dharamshala right now sir i am working in delhi IGI t3 airport and have also done MBA in aviation just want to inform you that if possible please give me a chance to prove my worth to the company. as i am very much familiar to the place.so please contact 09971503977

  5. says: vijay

    respected sir i am vijay from kangra .i have done diploma in aviation,hospitality and travel management.please give me a chance .my mobile number-9459077472

  6. says: SHIVANI SHARMA

    Respected sir,
    I am SHIVANI SHARMA from hp distt kangra ,I m working in chd kapsons fashion pvt ltd brand tommy hilfiger,please give me a chance,

  7. says: rahul

    sir i have done 12th and pursuing graduation from h.p university and i have the knowledge of aviation, hospitality and tourism sector so sir plz give me a chance to prove my self my contact no 09015552401

  8. says: MANGAL THAKUR

    sir, i have done diploma in Tour & Travel and i qualify IATA. Sir i want job in airport kangra so please give me chance

  9. says: Rajan Khosla

    Hi
    I have done MBA with 10 year experience in air lines industry as a supervisor and recently left my job as in telecom industry as a Relation ship Manager due to some personnel reason and If i get a chance to work with you i will be very happy n prove my seft at my hometown.
    Thanks

  10. says: Karan Thakur

    Sir there is no lackness in Himachal youth they are willing to work hard and even prove there talents in other state just because they are not getting any better opportunity in there own state and not a single stable private sector jobs are available in there own hometown and this is a big shame for Himachal govt just because they are only interested in there bullshit political ajenda but non of the govt weather we talk about Congress or Bjp didn’t take any big plans or steps to give job to our youth in there own native place why should we go and work in other state if state govt have given us chance to work and earn in my own home yes now day avation sector is the fastest growing industry then why govt is not taking any inistion to grow regional airport so that we can get job in this sector please state govt get out of sleep

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