Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said, “The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has submitted a revised master plan for requirement of land to fix runway orientation of the proposed Greenfield Airport at Nagchala ( Balh) in Mandi district as per OLS chart prepared by the consultant.”
Presiding over the review meeting of the Airport project, the CM said, “The state government has already got Light Detecting and Ranging (LiDAR) survey done from WAPCOS Ltd for fixing the alignment of the runway as suggested by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and AAI on July 21st and the agency has submitted the same to the AAI.”
Thakur said, “As per the site clearance given by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the master plan submitted earlier a 2100 meters runway with extension of 1050 meters on southern side was proposed but after the LiDAR survey and meeting with the ministry the feasibility of 3100 meters runway is being explored to extend it by 1050 meters on the northern side instead of southern side.”
He said, “The major shift in the proposed runway would be suitable for operation of AB-320 aircraft which could be operated throughout the year and possibility of night landing with help of CAT-I lighting system.”
Thakur said, “The state government is trying to form a joint company with AAI to accomplish this project and provide better air connectivity, boost tourism; and would take up the matter of financing the project with the union government in view of the strategic importance of the project in Mandi district.”