In a major step toward strengthening regional air connectivity, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Dehradun–Pithoragarh–Dehradun flight service from Jolly Grant Airport on Thursday. Operated by Alliance Air, the 42-seater aircraft will significantly reduce travel time between Dehradun and Pithoragarh to approximately one hour, compared to the nearly 495 km road journey.
Launched on the occasion of Ram Navami, the service is expected to enhance connectivity to remote and strategically important border areas while giving a boost to tourism, trade, and local livelihoods.
Highlighting the importance of improved infrastructure, Dhami said that regions once left behind are now being integrated into the mainstream of development through coordinated efforts by the Central and state governments. He emphasized that air connectivity is especially vital for a mountainous state like Uttarakhand, where terrain often limits road access.
The new route is part of the Centre’s UDAN scheme, aimed at making air travel affordable and accessible in tier-2, tier-3, and hilly regions. The chief minister noted that 26 routes are already operational in the state under UDAN, with further expansion planned under UDAN 2.0. The scheme targets the development of 100 new airports and 200 helipads nationwide over the next decade.
In addition to the flight service, the state is also enhancing last-mile connectivity. A helicopter service between Pithoragarh and Munsyari has already been launched, improving access to remote Himalayan areas.
Dhami also announced that Naini Saini Airport is being upgraded at a cost of ₹450 crore. The airport has now been officially transferred to the Airports Authority of India following an MoU signed last year. This development is expected to further strengthen aviation infrastructure in the region.
Since 2023, the “Uttarakhand Air Connectivity Yojana” has been working to link remote areas of the state. Over the past four years, heliports have increased from two to 12, while helipads have grown from 60 to 118. The state has also received national recognition as the “Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem.”
For residents of Dehradun, the new flight not only offers faster travel but also signals a broader transformation in connectivity—bringing distant regions closer and opening new opportunities for growth across Uttarakhand.
