Chief Minister Jairam Thakur met Union Minister for Civil Aviation Suresh Prabhu at New Delhi today and requested to hasten up completion of formalities paving way for performing foundation stone of Airport at Mandi at the earliest.Chief Minister said that coming up airport at Mandi will boost tourism sector in the state besides facilitating tourists with easy access to famous tourist destination of Manali and surrounding areas. He said that state government would nominate Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary Tourism for creation of a special task force to hasten up the process. This would hold daily communication with two officers nominated by the Ministry and discuss issues for early clearances and present a weekly report to the Chief Minister as well as Union Minister, he added.
Jai Ram Thakur also discussed the matter of expansion of Gaggal Airport and also apprised the minister that cooperation of Centre was needed to accelerate the pace of UDAAN –2 Project. He also requested for permission to use other airports of the state also for the same.Suresh Prabhu assured the Chief Minister of active support of the Ministry and added that Central team visited the airport site immediately after the request of the Chief Minister. He directed the officers for creation of Task Force immediately and to present the report so that all formalities could be completed within two months.He also asked the officers to resolve the rest issues taken up by the Chief Minister immediately.Principle Private Secretary to Chief Minister Vinay Singh and Senior Officers of the Ministry were also present in the meeting.