By Alok Mishra
Dehradun, Jan 30 : Uttarakhand was conferred recently with the prestigious national award as “Best State for Promotion of Aviation & Ecosystem.”
The hill state bagged the coveted award at the prestigious aviation event “WINGS INDIA 2026” currently underway at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad.
The award was presented by the Union Minister for Civil Aviation Mr K Rammohan Naidu in the presence of a host of senior government officials from the state including Secretary Mr Sachin Kurve, Additional Secretary Mr Ashish Chauhan, Mr Sanjay Tolia apart from several other dignitaries.
The event concludes on January 31.
This recognition is being seen as a result of the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and the effective aviation policies implemented by the state government.
Under the leadership of Dhami, the Uttarakhand government has not only expanded air connectivity across the state but has also made effective use of the aviation sector to ensure that the Char Dham Yatra is safe, smooth, and well-organized.
The expansion of helicopter services to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, development of heliports and helipads, enhanced passenger safety, disaster management preparedness, and efficient use of aerial resources for emergency services have become defining features of Uttarakhand’s aviation model.
During the Char Dham Yatra, helicopter services have enabled senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and pilgrims with time constraints to access the holy shrines conveniently, an initiative that has been widely appreciated across the country.
In addition, efforts to connect border and remote mountainous regions through air networks, implementation of the UDAN scheme, upgradation of airstrips, and promotion of heli-tourism received special recognition at the national level.
Expressing happiness over the achievement, the Chief Minister stated that this honor is the result of the collective efforts of the people of Uttarakhand, the state government team, and all stakeholders associated with the aviation sector.
He further said that the state government is committed to making the Char Dham Yatra even more secure, environmentally sustainable, and technology-driven in the future, while also developing Uttarakhand as the country’s leading aviation and heli-tourism hub.
“This national recognition will open new avenues for tourism, investment, employment, and infrastructure development in Uttarakhand,” Dhami said.
