Dehradun: (Special Report) – As Uttarakhand marks its 25th foundation day with grand celebrations, the state government is not only honoring the milestone but also evaluating two decades of developmental strides while crafting strategies to tackle future challenges. Over these 25 years, the hill state has made remarkable leaps in tourism, infrastructure, and connectivity. The expansion of heli services, in particular, has bridged remote mountainous regions with ease, emerging as a robust pillar for economic growth and tourism.
Limited Air Links at Statehood
At the time of Uttarakhand’s formation on November 9, 2000, the state had just five airstrips – Jolly Grant Airport, Pantnagar Airport, Gauchar, Chinyalisaur, and Pithoragarh Helipad. However, commercial heli operations were confined to Jolly Grant and Pantnagar. Low passenger numbers remained a persistent hurdle, leading to the abrupt closure of several fledgling services. The inaugural heli service to Kedarnath Dham launched in 2011, but overall commercial activity stayed severely limited.
2013: UKADA Formation
A pivotal step forward came in 2013 with the establishment of the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UKADA) by the state government. That same year, the devastating June floods in the Kedar Valley spotlighted the critical need for heli services. Helicopters played a lifeline role in disaster relief and rehabilitation, spurring the government into action. Construction of new helipads accelerated, resulting in today’s network of 90 helipads and 7 operational heliports, with 6 more under construction.
Heli Revolution Takes Flight from 2020
The central government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme has elevated Uttarakhand’s air connectivity to new heights. Launched on October 21, 2016, the initiative rolled out the state’s first heli services in February 2020. Currently, UDAN operates 18 heli routes and 6 fixed-wing routes, with plans to add 10 more heli routes soon.
Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme
To connect areas beyond UDAN’s reach, the Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme was introduced in 2023. Approved on December 4, 2023, the Uttarakhand Helipad and Heliport Policy now supports 6 heli routes and 2 fixed-wing routes.
Infrastructure Overhaul
At statehood, commercial services ran solely from two airports – Jolly Grant and Pantnagar – despite the presence of Gauchar, Chinyalisaur, and Pithoragarh helipads, which saw no commercial use. Today, the landscape has transformed dramatically. Dehradun’s Sahastradhara Helipad has been upgraded to a full-fledged heliport, designated as the nation’s model heliport. Naini Saini Airport now links to Dehradun and Delhi with direct flights. For Pantnagar Airport’s expansion, 804 acres of land have been acquired, with 524 acres transferred to the Airports Authority of India – construction is set to commence shortly.
Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Department Secretary Sachin Kurve stated, “Currently, the state boasts 90 helipads, including some from the private sector. Our target is 13 heliports – 7 complete, 6 under construction. Approval has been granted for five new heliports, with land identification underway. These are being built on par with airports to provide world-class facilities for tourists.”
Commercializing Gauchar and Chinyalisaur
To bolster remote areas, a comprehensive plan for the commercial utilization of Gauchar and Chinyalisaur helipads is slated for completion by December 30, 2025. Kurve added, “Heli services are not just linking intra-state cities but are playing a revolutionary role in tourism and disaster management. On this silver jubilee, we pledge to expand air connectivity even further.”
