HP CM Sukhu Plans Major Heliport Near Taradevi for Shimla-Chandigarh Link
Synopsis
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has proposed a large heliport near Taradevi on Shimla's outskirts to improve air connectivity with Chandigarh and boost Himachal Pradesh's tourism economy, building on the state's participation in the UDAN regional connectivity scheme.
Key Takeaways
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced plans for a large heliport near Taradevi , on the outskirts of Shimla .
The facility is intended to improve air connectivity between Shimla and Chandigarh , the main plains gateway to Himachal Pradesh.
The project is framed as a direct boost to Himachal Pradesh's tourism sector , reducing dependence on congested mountain roads.
Shimla's existing airport at Jubbarhatti faces chronic capacity and weather constraints, making an alternative aerial facility strategically important.
Himachal Pradesh has been part of the central government's RCS-UDAN scheme since 2017 , which supports heliport and airport development in hilly regions.
Next steps include land acquisition, environmental clearances, and central aviation ministry approvals.
A mountain state with terrain-locked roads and a single capacity-squeezed airport may be about to get a serious aerial lifeline. The Chief Minister's Office of Himachal Pradesh announced on Sunday, 25 October 2026 that Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has proposed a large heliport near Taradevi, a locality on the outskirts of Shimla, aimed at strengthening air connectivity between the state capital and Chandigarh while giving tourism a tangible boost.
The Chief Minister's statement, shared via the official CMO account, reads: 'तारादेवी के पास बड़े हेलीपोर्ट की योजना से शिमला-चंडीगढ़ के बीच हवाई कनेक्टिविटी बेहतर होगी और पर्यटन को बढ़ावा मिलेगा।' ('The plan for a large heliport near Taradevi will improve air connectivity between Shimla and Chandigarh and boost tourism.')Why the Taradevi Site Matters
Shimla's existing commercial airport at Jubbarhatti sits on a narrow Himalayan ridge and has long struggled with capacity and weather limitations, making it one of the most operationally constrained airports in northern India. A heliport at Taradevi — closer to the heart of Shimla — would offer an alternative aerial entry point, dramatically cutting travel time for visitors arriving from Chandigarh, the primary plains gateway into Himachal Pradesh. The road journey between the two cities can stretch well beyond three hours during peak tourist season and monsoon disruptions.UDAN's Hilly-Terrain Push and HP's Place in It
The proposal sits squarely within the policy logic of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), which Himachal Pradesh joined in 2017 to develop airports and heliports across its difficult topography. The scheme has specifically prioritised hilly, northeastern, and tribal regions where road infrastructure alone cannot guarantee reliable connectivity. Successive state governments have used UDAN as a lever to unlock central funding and aviation ministry approvals for such projects — making the next logical steps here land acquisition, environmental clearances, and formal central approval.Tourism Revenue in the Crosshairs
Himachal Pradesh's hospitality and tourism sector is the state's most visible economic engine, drawing millions of visitors annually to Shimla, Manali, and surrounding hill stations. Faster, weather-resilient air access directly addresses the single biggest friction point in the visitor experience: the gruelling road approach. A large heliport — rather than a minimal single-pad facility — signals the state's intent to handle meaningful passenger and cargo volumes, not just VIP or emergency movements. The proposal awaits the hard yards of regulatory and land clearances, but the political signal from CM Sukhu is clear: connectivity is the axis on which Himachal's economic ambitions will turn.Point of View
Where geographic isolation remains the single largest drag on economic growth. By anchoring it to the Shimla-Chandigarh corridor — the state's busiest and most commercially significant route — the government is targeting maximum visibility and tourist-traffic impact. It also positions Himachal as an active claimant for central aviation funding under UDAN at a time when hilly-state connectivity is a stated national priority. How quickly the project clears the inevitable environmental and land-acquisition hurdles will determine whether this stays a political talking point or becomes a real infrastructure milestone.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is the proposed heliport in Shimla?
The heliport is planned near Taradevi , a locality on the outskirts of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh. The exact land parcel is yet to be finalised pending acquisition and clearance processes.
How will the Taradevi heliport improve Shimla-Chandigarh connectivity?
It will offer a faster aerial route between the two cities, cutting travel time significantly compared to the mountain road journey that can exceed three hours during peak season or monsoon disruptions.
What is the UDAN scheme and how does it relate to this project?
RCS-UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme) is a central government initiative to improve air connectivity in hilly, remote, and underserved regions. Himachal Pradesh has been part of the scheme since 2017 , using it to develop airports and heliports across the state.
Why is Shimla's current airport not enough?
Shimla's Jubbarhatti Airport sits on a narrow Himalayan ridge, limiting its operational capacity and making it highly susceptible to weather disruptions, which constrains the number of flights and passenger volumes it can handle.
What are the next steps for the Taradevi heliport project?
The project will require land acquisition, environmental clearances from relevant authorities, and formal approval and potential funding from the central civil aviation ministry before construction can begin.
