Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday emphasized the state’s commitment to enhancing air connectivity in northern India while addressing the Northern Region Ministers Conference on Civil Aviation held in Dehradun.
Speaking alongside Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, CM Dhami expressed gratitude for Uttarakhand being selected as the host, calling it a reflection of the Centre’s intent to bolster aviation infrastructure in border states.
“We will discuss how to expand air services across the northern region, how to increase passenger facilities, and how to develop our airports. Hosting this conference in Uttarakhand shows the Union Government’s serious efforts in improving air connectivity in states like ours,” Dhami told reporters.
Union Minister Naidu, responding to questions about the recent AI-171 plane incident, said India has been following global aviation safety standards, which have led to unprecedented growth in the sector over the past decade.
“Our rules are already aligned with global safety standards. Over the last 10 years, India’s civil aviation sector has grown faster than any other nation’s. An investigation is ongoing into the AI-171 incident, and if there’s room for further improvement, we’ll act on it,” Naidu stated.
He also informed that consultations have been held with airlines, airport operators, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) to evaluate and strengthen existing systems.
“We have asked DGCA, BCAS, airlines, and airport authorities to conduct in-depth assessments. If new suggestions emerge to enhance global safety benchmarks, we will not hesitate to adopt them. Our goal is to make Indian aviation world-class,” he added.
The conference marks a significant step in aligning regional civil aviation growth with national priorities, especially for geographically sensitive and strategic areas like Uttarakhand.
