Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that he would personally monitor the progress of key projects aimed at transforming Kangra into the tourism capital of Himachal Pradesh. These projects include the development of a zoo in Bankhandi, water sports facilities at Pong Lake, the expansion of Kangra Airport, and the establishment of an advanced milk plant in Dhangwar.
The Chief Minister stated this while chairing a review meeting at the Mini Secretariat in Dharamshala today to assess the progress of various departmental schemes and projects.
He emphasized that the plan to expand Kangra Airport is crucial to realizing the goal of making Kangra the tourism capital of the state. Currently, the runway length of Kangra Airport is 1,376 meters. Under the expansion plan, the runway will be extended to 3,010 meters to accommodate larger aircraft. To implement this, land is being acquired from 14 revenue villages across eight panchayats.
The Chief Minister announced that by March 2025, flights will operate at Kangra Airport from sunrise to sunset for which approval has already been granted. He said that the state government would provide additional security personnel to the Airport Authority.
Regarding compensation for those displaced by the land acquisition for the airport expansion, the Chief Minister said the process is underway, with 50% of the compensation to be disbursed by December. Additionally, the expanded airport will facilitate night landing for aircraft.
He further noted that road widening projects are ongoing in Kangra district, and emphasized the need for a strategic plan to develop roadside amenities along the highways.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that the construction of a heliport in Palampur will commence soon, with administrative and financial approvals already in place.
Public Works Department has been instructed to initiate the tender process for this project, which is estimated to cost Rs 13 crore.
During the review, he also discussed the construction of an advanced milk plant in Dhangwar, Kangra. This plant, costing over Rs 225 crore, will produce various dairy products. To facilitate milk collection, 247 cooperative societies have been established, and he directed that milk from cows and buffaloes be collected separately.
Ayush Minister Yadvinder Goma, Chairman HPTourism Development Corporation R.S. Bali, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania Political Advisor to the Chief Minister Sunil Sharma , MLA Neeraj Nayyar, Principal Advisor IT (Innovation)Gokul Butail, MLA Kishori Lal former MLA Ajay Mahajan, Deputy Commissioner Hem Raj Bairwa and senior officers attended the meeting.
