Dehradun: Uttarakhand has been awarded the prestigious “Best State for Promotion of Aviation Ecosystem” at the Wings India 2026 International Aviation Conference and Exhibition. The award recognizes the state government’s effective policies, administrative coordination, and efforts to strengthen the aviation ecosystem, particularly in civil aviation and air connectivity.
National Recognition at Wings India 2026
The award was presented by Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and MoCA Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha at a ceremony held at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad.
Representatives from Uttarakhand included:
- Sachin Kurve, Secretary, Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA)
- Dr. Ashish Chauhan, Chief Executive Officer
- Sanjay Singh Tolia, Additional Chief Executive Officer
- Captain Amit Sharma, Head of Operations
The award highlights Uttarakhand’s achievements in air connectivity, aviation infrastructure, and disaster management support through innovative aviation policies.
Chief Minister Dhami Extends Congratulations
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his happiness over the achievement, stating:
“This award is a testament to Uttarakhand’s comprehensive aviation policy, better administrative coordination, and our commitment to strengthening air connectivity across the state. It will boost tourism, disaster management, and healthcare services.”
Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and with central government support, Uttarakhand has:
- Expanded air services under the UDAN scheme
- Developed modern aviation infrastructure, heliports, and helipads
- Strengthened passenger safety measures
Optimized aerial resources for emergency services and disaster management
Boosting Tourism and Pilgrim Services
A key focus has been enhancing connectivity to the Char Dham Yatra destinations: Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Helicopter services have enabled:
- Senior citizens and persons with disabilities to undertake hassle-free darshan
- Pilgrims with time constraints to access holy sites efficiently
These initiatives have earned nationwide appreciation and improved heli-tourism and accessibility in remote and border regions.
Expanding Uttarakhand as an Aviation and Heli-Tourism Hub
The award also recognizes efforts to:
- Upgrade airstrips and helipads
- Promote environmentally sustainable aviation and technology-driven services
- Enhance disaster response capabilities using aerial resources
CM Dhami stated that this national recognition would open new avenues for tourism, investment, employment, and infrastructure development in Uttarakhand.
“The honour is the result of collective efforts by the people of Uttarakhand, the state government team, and all stakeholders associated with the aviation sector,” he added.
