Itanagar, July 5: The central government is planning a major expansion of heliport infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh and other hilly states as part of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu announced.

Speaking to the media, Naidu said that efforts are underway to improve air connectivity in remote regions by developing new airports and heliports. “We already have a plan for the expansion of heliports in hilly states. Under the RCS, several airports from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh are being built,” he stated.

He noted that in states like Uttarakhand, where 18 heliports are currently operational, helicopter services are often impacted by difficult terrain and adverse weather. To improve safety and efficiency, the government is considering global aviation standards and exploring upgrades to Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems.

Naidu also acknowledged the challenges of installing ATC systems in regions like the Char Dham circuit but said that solutions are being explored to enhance their effectiveness.

He added that the Ministry of Civil Aviation is working closely with the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority to strengthen aviation infrastructure and ensure safe operations during the Char Dham Yatra, which is set to resume in September.