State

AOC-in-C seeks land for IAF activities, air defence radars in U’khand

The air officer commanding in-chief (AOC- in-C) of central air command, air marshal Rajesh Kumar met chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat here on Friday. The duo discussed facilitation of land for establishment of air defence radar and advance landing ground in the strategically important state of Uttarakhand. The AOC-in-C also requested the chief minister to facilitate land for expansion of existing airports and establishing an airport at Chaukhutiya in Almora district. The AOC-in-C’s visit comes a day after the general officer commanding-in- chief, central command, lieutenant general IS Ghuman visited cantonments in Dehradun and Mussoorie and interacted with army officers.

Responding to air marshall Kumar, the chief minister directed officials concerned to depute nodal officers in the air force and state administration to facilitate activities of the air force in the state. These nodal officers will jointly work on identification of land as per the requirement and other tasks, ensuring swift action on the same. The chief minister said that a considerable proportion of the state’s population consists of servicemen. Respecting the armed forces is a tradition with the people of Uttarakhand and the people have always had a cooperating attitude for providing land for activities of the armed forces, said Rawat. He further said that the Pantnagar airport is being developed into a greenfield airport while the Dehradun airport is being developed to international standards. In the past, the armed forces officers had found Chaukhutiya a suitable location for building an airport. Provision of land to the air force for its activities will be ensured on priority basis in the state, added the chief minister.

The AOC-in-C, air marshall Kumar requested the chief minister to make provision for land in order to facilitate expansion of the existing airports in Pantnagar, Dehradun and Pithoragarh along with setting up of an airport in Chaukhutiya. He further said that as in the north eastern states, it would be useful if land can be provided for setting up radars in Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh districts. Considering the present conditions, it is important to have radars and air strips at proper locations in a border region like Uttarakhand, said the AOC-in-C. He also thanked the chief minister for the support being provided for IAF activities in the state.

The State’s civil aviation secretary Dilip Jawalkar informed about the condition of the airports in Pantnagar, Dehradun, Pithoragarh and other locations in the state. The revenue secretary Sushil Kumar informed that land has been identified at Bhainsoli village in Almora district for setting up an air defence radar. After selecting lands in other locations, the necessary procedure will be expedited, he added. Various officials of the IAF and the state administration were also present on the occasion. 

Saturday, 12 September 2020 | PNS | Dehradun

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