Himachal demands Rs 4,000 cr from Centre for its airports

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government has demanded Rs 500 crore each for the expansion of Kullu and Kangra airports, besides Rs 426 crore for Shimla airport. An investment of Rs 2,500 crore is required for the construction of new green field airport fit for landing wide-bodied planes in Mandi district, it has pointed out.
Issue of funding for airports was raised by education minister Suresh Bhardwaj, who participated as representative of chief minister, in the meetings of state finance ministers and the GST Council held at New Delhi on Friday evening.
Bhardwaj also requested the Centre for construction of proposed Bhanupali-Bilaspur-Manali-Leh rail line besides converting Pathankot-Joginder rail line to broad gauge and linking both with 100% central funding. He requested to declare these as defence projects of national importance.
He demanded sufficient funds for rail network in Union budget for the state and demanded that expansion of rail network in Himalayan states may be considered in core schemes and may form part of national development agenda and sharing pattern of construction of rail lines may be kept in the ratio of 90:10 for the Centre and the state.
Bring GST on components and materials used in construction of hydro power projects at par with wind and solar power projects, the minister said, adding that the import duty on apples should at least be doubled to protect the interests of local growers.
He said that ropeways were effective alternative for addressing connectivity as well as traffic congestion issues in the state and requested approving ropeways for connecting 283 left out villages under PMSGY-1 with 250 plus population which could not be connected by roads due to thick forest cover and environmental issues.
He said that liberal funding may be provided to state by bringing it under ‘Parvatmala Scheme’ conceived by Union ministry of highways. While discussing about ‘aspirational district’ Chamba, which NITI Aayog is monitoring, he said that the Centre should consider funding the projects for roads, irrigation and health sectors for backward districts.