Dehradun–Pithoragarh Air Service Launched; Travel Time Reduced to One Hour
42-seater flight service launched between Dehradun and Pithoragarh. Travel time reduced to just 1 hour. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami says it will boost connectivity and border area development under UDAN scheme.
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday inaugurated the Dehradun–Pithoragarh–Dehradun air service from Jolly Grant Airport. The service will be operated by Alliance Air using a 42-seater aircraft, significantly improving connectivity between the two cities by reducing travel time to just one hour.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the launch of this service on the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami marks a major step toward enhancing connectivity in the state, especially for the border district of Pithoragarh. He emphasized that the service holds strategic importance in addition to improving ease of travel for residents.
Air Travel Now Accessible to Common Citizens
Dhami noted that air travel was once considered accessible only to the privileged, but under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it has become available to the common man. He highlighted the transformative impact of the UDAN Scheme, launched in 2016, which has connected smaller cities and remote regions to the national aviation network while making air travel affordable.
He further informed that the Government of India has recently approved UDAN 2.0, which aims to develop around 100 new airports and 200 heliports over the next decade with an estimated investment of ₹29,000 crore. The expansion focuses on strengthening regional connectivity in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, including remote and hilly areas.
Air Services: A Lifeline for Uttarakhand
Highlighting the importance of aviation in a mountainous state like Uttarakhand, the Chief Minister said air services have now become a lifeline. From delivering essential supplies to remote areas to transporting critically ill patients to advanced medical facilities, aviation plays a crucial role.
Currently, 26 air routes are operational in the state under the UDAN scheme. Additionally, the “Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Scheme,” launched in 2023, is facilitating regular flights on six routes. Over the past four years, the number of heliports in the state has increased from 2 to 12, while helipads have expanded from 60 to 118. Uttarakhand has also received national recognition as the “Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem.”
Boost to Border Area Development
Dhami stated that the new air service will significantly reduce travel time for residents of Pithoragarh, thereby strengthening the local economy and promoting tourism. He acknowledged that border areas had long remained neglected but said both the central and state governments are now working together to integrate these regions into the mainstream of development.
As part of this effort, helicopter services between Pithoragarh and Munsyari have also been introduced, benefiting both locals and tourists.
Development of Pithoragarh Airport
The Chief Minister said that Pithoragarh Airport is being developed at an estimated cost of ₹450 crore. An MoU has also been signed between the Airports Authority of India and the Uttarakhand government for the takeover of Naini Saini Airport, which is expected to further enhance regional air connectivity in the coming years.
Union Minister Extends Greetings
Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu extended his best wishes via video message for the successful launch of the service and assured continued support for strengthening aviation infrastructure in Uttarakhand.
