To give a fillip to its tourism infrastructure, the Uttarakhand government will spend Rs 200 crore to strengthen the civil aviation sector and set up 40 chopper landing facilities in the hill state. The State already has a Civil Aviation Authority, said State Additional Chief Secretary, Rakesh Sharma.    

Now the State government has roped in roped in the Airports Authority of India (AAI), RITES, Pawan Hans Helicopters to develop new helipads, helidroms and heliports. At present, there are 12 helipads/helidroms in Uttarakhand, most of which are undeveloped.    

In addition to this, the government intends to construct 28 more such facilities. A survey is being conducted to identify the new sites. “We are planning in such a way that all the 13 districts will have three four helipads/helidroms/heliports each, said Rakesh Sharma.    

The government has already received Rs 100 crore for strengthening its two airports of Naini-Saini in Pithoragarh district and Chanyalisaur in Uttarkashi district. The government says in the event of natural calamity like the recent flood havoc, air services will come into use to take up rescue operations.