Uttarakhand govt proposes building additional airstrips for IAF given India

New Delhi/Dehradun: India has started massive deployments on the China border, following the Galwan Valley conflict. Moves are being made to deploy the Rafael fighter jets, to be received from France, along with US-made fighter jets and Attack helicopters in this sector. India had undertaken major infrastructure development projects in this region and the work on roads and bridges is being carried out expeditiously. Against this background, the Uttarakhand government has proposed advanced airstrips to expedite the movements of the Army and Airforce.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has said that the Indian Airforce can build Advanced Landing Grounds (ALG) in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand shares its border with China. He expressed confidence that therefore, building ALGs in the state could prove beneficial for the movements of the defence forces. The state has presented a proposal in this respect to the union government.

Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said ‘The Airforce should develop ALGs in the Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, near the Chinese border. This will ease movements of the Indian Armed forces. The advanced airstrip can be used, even for the benefit of the locals, in case of any calamity.’ Only a few days ago, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand held talks with the ITBP chief. At that time, discussions had been held regarding the infrastructural facilities.

Since the last month, the Indian Airforce has increased its movements in Uttarakhand. Two weeks ago, the Airforce carried out soft landings of A-32 aircraft and MI-17 helicopters at the Chinyalisaur airport. At the same time, the Airforce had also examined the airstrip. This airstrip becomes very important as it lies very close to the Chinese border. In the past, the Indian Airforce had conducted Operation Gagan exercises on this airstrip. It is being said that now, the Airforce is planning to develop the airstrip