Union Ministry Grants Clearances For Heliport In Dharamshala To Enhance Connectivity And Disaster Response

The heliport proposed to be established in Rakkar village, Dharamshala has received in-principal approval from the Union environment ministry under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980 (FCA).

To convert 25 kanals of forest land for non-forest purposes, the clearance under the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) was required, according to Kangra deputy commissioner, Nipun Jindal.

“The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change granted the in-principal approval on August 28, which is also the stage-1 clearance, after the local administration addressed the objection raised by the ministry on the project proposal,” he said.

Once the heliport project receives stage-2 or formal clearance under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), the work will commence promptly.

The construction of a heliport in the area will enhance air connectivity, promote tourism and additionally aid in evacuation and rescue operations during natural disasters. The project would cost around Rs 6 crore.

Further, the state government plans to establish heliports in the headquarters of all 12 districts, with Kangra being allocated two heliports.

Additionally, a heliport is proposed for CSK-Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University in Palampur.

According to Jindal, the land in Palampur has already been transferred to the Tourism Department for the development of the heliport.

The Palampur heliport project is estimated to cost Rs 9 crore, and there are plans to construct a hangar at the site as well.