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By Sangeeta Saxena
Dehradun, Uttarakhand. 04 July 2025. In a landmark event aimed at reimagining regional air connectivity and infrastructure, the first-ever Northern Region Civil Aviation Conclave of Ministers convened in Dehradun. Organised by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, this high-level gathering brought together ministers, bureaucrats, and aviation stakeholders from seven states and three union territories, with a focus on accelerating air infrastructure in mountainous and underserved regions of India.
“And this is a perfect opportunity for us to interact and to take the civil aviation sector forward. The insights and continued engagement is vital as we work together to build a more inclusive and sustainable aviation ecosystem across India. Today, we gather not just as representatives of our respective governments and organisations but as partners to shape the future of civil aviation across this region and the country.
We live in a time where the aviation industry faces both unprecedented challenges and boundless opportunities. And this gathering of leaders, policy makers and industry experts is both timely and essential,” said Asangba Chuba AoJoint Secretary Ministry of Civil Aviation and welcomed the gathering.
“There is a special focus going to be put on hilly states, the Himalayan states, and especially the aspirational districts of the country. And if you look at the northern region alone, then since 2016, through UDAAN with a RCS budget of over 1860 crores, we have operationalised around 27 airports, including Hisar recently, Shimla, Bhatinda, Kishangadh, Bareilly and Pantnagar. These projects have become transformational for interstate and also short region connectivity,” stated Minister of Civil Aviation K RamMohan Naidu.
He held the view that the region has greatly benefited from the viability gap funding, which has been provided by the UDAAN scheme to carry out these routes. And stated that he would also like to extend that to the states with the idea that if the states also can come forward in offering the viability gap funding, then much better connectivity can be given to the shorter, smaller airports and the shorter routes where viability becomes a big challenge. And following the numbers, they can clearly highlight the immense potential of the northern region also.
“In the last one decade itself, the annual aircraft movements in the northern region have increased by an impressive 3,80,000 flights. The passengers handled at the airports of the north have increased by 2.5 times now. And the terminal passenger handling capacity in the region has also seen remarkable growth, doubling from 69 million in 2013-14 to 154 million passengers per annum in 2024-25. And the cargo expansion in the northern region has been unbelievable. The international freight has increased by 88% and domestic freight has increased by more than 90%. This is a phenomenal progress that we have achieved in cargo movement in the country,” he added.
In the first year as the Aviation Minister, eight new airports have been inaugurated and two of which are coming from the northern region, Sarsawa in Uttar Pradesh and Hisar in Haryana. Numerous significant projects have been undertaken across the northern region to enhance aviation infrastructure, boost operational connectivity and improve the overall passenger experience. Right here in Dehradun, the airport’s new domestic passenger terminal was operationalised last year with an investment of more than 480 crores, informed Naidu.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has called on the central government to develop a distinct mountain aviation policy that specifically addresses the unique needs of India’s mountainous regions. Highlighting the logistical and infrastructural challenges faced by hilly terrains, he emphasized that a customized approach would enhance air connectivity, promote tourism, and improve accessibility for remote areas. Dhami’s appeal aims to ensure that development in the aviation sector is inclusive and responsive to the geographical constraints and strategic importance of states like Uttarakhand.
Welcoming the gathering he stated that the state felt really privileged to be chosen as the venue for the first such conference and was excited that Himalayan states and their needs were the focus of attention of the Ministry of Civil Aviation. He was excited that the government at the centre was keeping the availability of natural assets and scope of revenue generation through attracting tourism beyond religious one in mind and planning the aviation expansion in the nation by stressing on the role of these states. Out of the 18 airports in the state 12 were operative he informed.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the conference Minister K Ran Mohan Naidu stressed, “ we started this regional conference which is happening for the first time. And today we saw that in the Northern Conference, there are 7 states and 3 union directories. There is a lot of participation here. There is a lot of enthusiasm. And they participated with a lot of excitement. So the topics that will be discussed today, the most important thing will be how many airports have been built. If the capacity has to be enhanced, if new terminal buildings have to be built, or if a new airport has to be built, then we will discuss about that. Now the heliports, like in the Northern region, due to the Himalayas, there is a possibility of building a lot of heliports. So in the context of heliports, from our side, from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, what can be done to help the states, and where these heliports can be built, we will also discuss about that. And as you can see, there is one aviation sector that connects people. It connects one region with another.”
He added, “ Apart from that, there is so much potential in aviation that there is employment as well. Thousands of people are getting employment from the airport. And there are other things in the airport, like the drone sector, or the MRO sector, or the flying training organisation. So there are different things that are connected to aviation. In that context, the way aviation is growing, we want all the networks, be it drones, helicopters, or seaplanes, to grow in the same way. So for that, we thought that the support from the states is very important. So this conference, we are doing this by extending our hand to the Ministry of Civil Aviation. And we are trying to give more attention to the states, that the states, and in their own way, the Civil Aviation sector. So we are trying to move forward.”
He informed, “ So far, the atmosphere has been good. Now, we have some presentations from the Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation. After that, we will have one-on-one meetings with all the states, where they will discuss their individual issues with us, and we will try to move forward with their timeline and agenda. So for that, I would like to thank the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and the Government for their good support. And I would also like to congratulate Pushkar Singh Damiji, who has completed four years as Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. We have a very good relationship with the people of Uttarakhand.”
He added that in a state like Uttarakhand, helicopter services are far more than just a mode of transport—they serve as a critical lifeline. Whether it is for delivering essential supplies to remote mountainous areas or transferring patients to advanced medical facilities, these air services play a vital role. Given the challenging Himalayan terrain, where natural calamities are a recurring phenomenon, helicopters have become indispensable in disaster response, infrastructure maintenance, and rescue operations.
Chief Minister Dhami also emphasized that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, significant efforts are being made to develop aviation infrastructure in Uttarakhand. At present, 18 helipads are in use for air services, with 12 already operational. The state is actively working to expand aerial connectivity to ensure timely access to essential services and reduce travel time. Furthermore, airports are being integrated with key economic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, horticulture, and food processing to drive regional development. Enhancements in air traffic control and aviation infrastructure have simplified and improved accessibility to many remote regions. Helicopter services have also played a crucial role in facilitating the Char Dham Yatra, providing faster and safer travel options to lakhs of pilgrims each year.
The northern region of India has made significant strides in improving regional air connectivity under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, with 36 aerodromes operationalised and 1,258 RCS (Regional Connectivity Scheme) routes established. Scenic locations such as Munsiyari in Pithoragarh and Almora have benefited under this initiative, highlighting the government’s commitment to connecting even the most remote and picturesque parts of the country. Building on this success, the government has now announced an extended vision under a modified UDAN scheme that sets ambitious targets for the next 10 years. This renewed roadmap will incorporate learnings from past challenges and focus on deeper collaboration with state governments. Emphasis will be placed on early identification of viable locations, strategic alignment with tourism hubs and industrial corridors, and ensuring optimal distance from existing airports to avoid oversaturation.
Going forward, the states are expected to play a more proactive role by contributing to airport development costs, addressing land acquisition challenges, and improving multimodal 
ground connectivity to enhance airport accessibility. The issue of underutilisation often arises due to long distances between airports and population centres, hence subsidised or state-supported last-mile connectivity can improve viability. Additionally, conducting pre-feasibility or advanced technical studies before committing to new airstrips is crucial, as some proposed sites are found to be technically unfeasible due to terrain constraints or dense populations. With a coordinated approach and smart planning, the next decade of regional aviation in the northern region can transform mobility, boost tourism, and unlock significant economic potential.
The conclave marked a crucial step toward shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and region-specific aviation ecosystem in India. With a sharp focus on infrastructure, viability funding, mountain-specific aviation policy, and helicopter services as lifelines, the discussions echoed a commitment to connecting the remotest parts of the northern region. The Ministry’s roadmap and the states’ enthusiasm together signal a transformative future for aviation in India’s heartland. As Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu emphasized, “aviation connects people,” and through this conclave, the government has extended its hand to ensure that even the most remote corners of India are connected, empowered, and ready to fly.
