Sukhu inaugurates Shimla helicopter services, targets BJP over ₹1,000 crore waste

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) inaugurated helicopter services from Shimla’s Sanjauli helipad, launching daily flights to Bhuntar Airport in Kullu and Reckong Peo as well as thrice-weekly connectivity to Chandigarh, in a move aimed at boosting air connectivity and tourism in the Hill State.

While the Prime Minister said the Congress government was focusing on creating necessary infrastructure for residents and tourists, he accused the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of wasting nearly Rs 1,000 crore on buildings lying unused and vacant.

He said that the foundation stone of Sanjauli helipad was laid on September 13, 2017, during the tenure of the Congress government. “The helipad was constructed at a cost of around ₹ 15.86 billion. Although it was inaugurated on January 12, 2022, operations could not start earlier due to lack of permission from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Thanks to the persistent efforts of the current State government, permission to fly was finally granted on August 7, 2025. Prior to this, the DGCA and the Civil Aviation Security Bureau carried out various inspections and all Security-related observations were duly addressed by the State government,” he said.

Expressing his hope that the services will benefit stakeholders in the tourism sector, Mr. Sukhu said they will also be useful in medical emergencies.

“Sanjauli helipad is located close to Indira Gandhi Medical College and Shimla Hospital, which will make it extremely useful in case of medical emergencies. We are constantly making efforts to promote tourism as Himachal Pradesh is known globally as a major tourist destination. The launch of helicopter services will not only improve access to major tourist spots but also strengthen the overall air connectivity network in the State,” he said.