AAI team meets CM over Mandi airport

SHIMLA: A team of Airport Authority of India (AAI) called on chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and apprised him about the recent surveys undertaken at different places in for setting up an international airport at Mandi district.

Experts in the four member delegation gave their feedback to the CM about the prefeasibility survey on five identified places in Mandi by the government.

Vinod Puniyal, a senior officer of the Airport Authority of India, who led the team informed the CM that the data collected by the team will be evaluated in detail in Delhi and within next 15 days the team will submit the report to the state government.

The team in its report will recommend the site that meets all technical parameters.

Puniyal said Ner Dhangu of Balh sub-division, Basadhar and Gogradhar of Padhar sub-division, Moviseri in Gohar sub-disivion and Nandgarh in Sadar Mandi were included in the prefeasibility survey conducted by the team.

Thakur said land will be provided by the state government for the site that the airport authority will recommend.

He said Mandi district is a gateway to Shimla, Kullu -Manali, Lahaul and Spiti and Kangra districts. It also fulfils the needs of foreign and domestic tourists coming to the state.

In view of strategic importance and proximity of the state with China it is absolutely necessary to construct international-level airport there.