A recent media report quoting Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat has said that the Himalayan state has sent a proposal to the Centre urging the Indian Air Force to prepare at least three advanced landing grounds in the forward areas in the state to help armed forces transport both men and material to the border areas in case there is a requirement. The proposal comes at a time when India has stepped up efforts to build infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control despite border tensions with China.
The report quoted CM Rawat as saying: “As Uttarakhand is a border state, the three airstrips can play an important role in enhancing national security. We, in the state, are also making all-out efforts to develop them as per the requirements.”
The report further said that in the proposal, the Uttarakhand government has said that the Indian Air Force should develop the airstrips in Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh for both military and civilian purposes.