Reaching Himachal will soon get easier and faster as the Centre has given a green signal for the construction of an airport in the hill town of Mandi.
Himachal Pradesh CM Jai Ram Thakur made the news public after his meeting with the Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Housing and Urban Affairs Hardeep Singh Puri at New Delhi.
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The CM informed that the new airport in Mandi will be constructed as a joint venture of the state government and the Airport Authority of India (AAI).
He further added that the AAI will come up with a detailed project report in a week while the state government will begin the process of land acquisition for the airport. The minister also discussed how the move will help boost tourism in the state and increase connectivity.
He talked about the landing of A320 aircraft at Gaggal and ATR74 aircraft at Shimla and Bhuntar airports and its possibilities. Other areas such as the expansion of runways of existing airports and air ambulance services project were also discussed.
Mandi is also known as Sahor and is one of the prime towns and a municipal council in Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh. The place is a paradise for people who enjoy solitude.
It is located along the River Beas, some 145 km from the Shimla and remains pleasant all summer but experiences very cold winters.
The town is known for its some 300 old and new temples but the most significant ones are Panchvaktra Temple, Triloknath Temple and Ardhnareshwar Temple among others.