Work on to implement Heli-policy, says Sinha

Asserting that the UT has seen a new dawn of development after the abrogation of Article 370, Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha said that with increased road connectivity, air connectivity and development of railways infrastructure with work on Rs one lakh crore worth projects underway across Jammu and Kashmir.

In terms of railway connectivity, J&K will be connected to Kanyakumari by the next year, he said.
Welcoming the stakeholders of the civil aviation sector and the helicopter industry from across the country to J-K, Sinha said the Heli India Summit will play a significant role in promoting ‘Heli-seva’ as last mile connectivity.

Work has been started for implementing ‘Heli Policy’ and use of helicopters in emergency medical services, he added.

Various scenic destinations in J-K witnessing year-round tourist influx have the potential to boost heli-tourism market in the UT. We are committed to facilitate and help in the growth of heli operations. I invite industry captains to be partners in this transformational journey, Sinha said.

He said Rs one lakh crore is being spent on road and tunnel infrastructure, which is opening up new vistas of socio-economic growth in J-K, he added.

“Various scenic destinations in Jammu Kashmir witnessing year-round tourist influx, which has the potential to boost Heli-Tourism market in the UT. We are committed to facilitate and help in the growth of Heli operations. I invite Industry Captains to be partners in this transformational journey”, said the Lt Governor.

“Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has ensured Nav-Nirman of J&K UT with robust infrastructure, road-connectivity to all villages, housing, rural electrification and full utilization of natural and human resources to meet the demands of the modern society, he observed.

Gati Shakti-National Master Plan is paving the way for coordinated implementation of infrastructure schemes like Bharatmala, Sagarmala and UDAN, he added.

Highlighting the reforms introduced by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, LG said, “Country’s aviation sector has witnessed an unprecedented growth in passenger traffic and corresponding increase in number of flight routes, aircrafts and enhanced regional air connectivity to fulfill the aspirations of the common man by following the vision of Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik”.

In a short span of time, 65 airports, 8 heliports and 2 water aerodromes were made operational in tier-2 and tier-3 cities under the guidance of the Prime Minister and soon India will cross over into the top 10 air freight markets in the near future, he added.

LG reiterated the UT government’s commitment to improve connectivity, particularly in remote &far flung areas and providing affordable transportation to the people of the UT. Rs. One Lakh Crore is being spent on road and tunnel infrastructure, which are opening up new vistas of socio-economic growth of J&K, he added.

Significant decisions like reduction of VAT on ATF from 26.5% to 1% and abolishing the load penalty at Jammu airport has revived J&K’s Civil aviation sector. Today, Srinagar airport is setting a new record in terms of number of flights per day. Within a year, from 20-25 daily flights, today 80 to 100 flights are operating at Srinagar airport every day, the Lt Governor said.

After the decision to abolish load penalty at Jammu airport, the number of flights has increased, the citizens of Jammu division have got better and economical facilities to travel to Delhi and other parts of the country, and the business sector has also gained new dynamism, he further added.

“We have already laid down the road map to fulfill the aspirations of every section of society. A lot has been achieved in the last three years. Remarkable progress in Infrastructure and other sectors present a tremendous opportunity for J&K UT to realize its full potential, the Lt Governor said.

Achievements in tourism sector, development of 75 offbeat destinations enabling us to accelerate our development process and to utilize the energies and talents of human capital, he added.

He said, Inclusive development provides UT of J&K considerable leverage in pursuing the objective of Aatma-Nirbhar J&K. Today we have a rapidly growing economy, expanding market for agriculture & allied sectors and widening industrial base to integrate J&K’s economy into the country’s mainstream.

The broad objectives of the Summit are to create a world-class helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India; promote tourism in the Himalayan states by providing uninterrupted helicopter services to the tourist hotspots; encourage Helicopter-based emergency medical services (HEMS) and enhancing the role of Helicopters in supporting other industries.