Dharamshala: Finance Commission has accorded approval for the proposed Mandi International Airport and created an initial provision of Rs 1,000/- crores, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur let the Himachal Pradesh assembly know on Wednesday.
Responding to a question raised by CPI(M) Legislator Rakesh Singha, the chief minister informed the house that land acquisition for the airport project had not started. He added that the government would take full care of the displaced persons from the land acquisition process.
Alluding to the opposition the project has begun to encounter, Jai Ram said “some people do obstruct any project that is essential for the development of the state.”
“Mandi Airport would be the biggest project of the state, which would boost tourism in the state and also provide direct and indirect employment to about 5 lakh people,” he said.
Himachal does not have a four-lane highway connectivity nor is served by good railway connectivity, but the plan to build an international airport would improve air connectivity. Survey for the airport project stands completed and the survey report is positive,” said Jai Ram Thakur.
Earlier, Mahendra Singh advised comrade MLA Rakesh Singha not to oppose the Mandi airport project.
Speaking about airports chief minister Jai Ram Thkaur said that the Finance Commission had also approved Rs 400 crore for the expansion of Gagal Airport at Kangra.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
