Jyotiraditya Scindia recently announced the deployment of a helicopter at the All India Institute of Medical Science in Rishikesh as part of the ‘Sanjeevani’ project. The helicopter, currently in the assembly phase and undergoing certification, will be able to airlift people to the hospital within a 150 km radius. Scindia emphasized his personal involvement in the project, stating that it is his concern.
This announcement followed the virtual inauguration of the newly constructed phase-2 terminal building at Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun. The terminal, costing ₹486 crore, is designed to accommodate 3,240 passengers during peak hours and serve 4.7 million passengers annually. Scindia highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance air connectivity in Uttarakhand, with plans to upgrade airports in Dehradun, Pant Nagar, and Pithoragarh. Additionally, the state aims to increase the number of heliports to 21 in the coming years.
In December, the Uttarakhand cabinet approved the Uttarakhand Helipad and Heliport Policy 2023, addressing challenges in accessing remote hilly areas, especially during medical emergencies and disasters. The policy, proposed by the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA), aligns with the state government’s Empowered Uttarakhand Mission, focusing on the development of civil aviation infrastructure and ecosystems.
