Centre Rules Out Runway Expansion At Shimla And Kullu Airports Citing Topographical Constraints

New Delhi :  The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ruled out runway expansion projects at Shimla (Jubbarhatti) and Kullu (Bhuntar) airports, citing severe topographical limitations and restricted land availability.  

In a written response to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha by MP Harsh Mahajan, Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol clarified that geographical challenges make extending the existing runways technically unfeasible. Both facilities operate under constrained table-top or valley environments surrounded by steep gorges, limiting operations primarily to smaller turboprop aircraft such as the ATR-42.  

While runway extensions at Shimla and Kullu remain off the table, the central government confirmed that a major expansion proposal for Kangra (Gaggal) Airport is currently prepared by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). However, the initiative remains pending state action, as the transfer of nearly 370 acres of required land from the Himachal Pradesh government is yet to be completed.  

Addressing queries on regional connectivity, the minister highlighted that 40 flight routes have been operationalized across Himachal Pradesh under the UDAN Regional Connectivity Scheme to bolster tourism and travel access. Regarding flight frequencies and operational timings, the government reaffirmed that India's domestic aviation sector operates on a deregulated framework. Commercial airlines independently determine aircraft deployment, flight schedules, and route choices based strictly on commercial viability and Route Dispersal Guidelines.  With runway expansion ruled out, local advisory panels and regional stakeholders have begun advocating for surveys to identify alternative locations capable of supporting larger passenger aircraft to fulfill the growing aviation demands of the hill state