HP asks Centre to restore air services

Devina Sharma, president of the women's wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Himachal Pradesh, has sought immediate restoration of air services at all airports across the state.

Devina Sharma, president of the women's wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), Himachal Pradesh, has sought immediate restoration of air services at all airports across the state.

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Speaking to the Hindustan Times here on Tuesday, she said the tourism business in the state had been getting adversely affected in the absence of regular air services for the past one year.

She pointed out that the hoteliers, taxi operators and those directly and indirectly involved in tourism and tourism-related activities were the worst affected in the absence of regular air services.

She further stated that Himchal could never compete with any other hill states in the country owing to the dwindling air services.

The state NCP chief, in particularly, urged the union tourism and civil aviation minister to immediately look into the matter and resume the air services to Kullu, Shimla and Kangra airports so that the inflow of foreign and domestic tourists could be given a boost throughout the year.

Besides, she also expressed concern over the deteriorating condition of NH-21 (Chandigarh-Manali national highway) between Bilaspur and Swarghat, and between Kullu and Manali.

She has requested the union ministry of surface transport to pay immediate attention to the dilapidated condition of the NH-21 between Swarghat and Manali to facilitate the tourists and local commuters.