Dehradun: Following numerous helicopter accidents last year in the state, there has been a growing emphasis on ATC construction. A decision was made to install an ATC tower at the Sahastradhara Helidrome in Dehradun. Following government approval, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved 5.39 crore rupees for the construction of the ATC tower on Thursday. Construction work will begin soon at the Sahastradhara Helidrome. However, the construction of the ATC tower is also considered crucial for the upcoming Chardham Yatra.
Heli-based accidents in recent years have raised questions about helicopter safety. Furthermore, following last year’s helicopter accidents, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and UKADA have become increasingly vigilant regarding safety standards in helicopter operations. Furthermore, efforts are underway to ensure accurate weather information during helicopter operations. In this sequence, ATC towers, i.e., Air Traffic Control towers, are being installed at Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines. Budget approval has also been granted for the installation of an ATC tower at the Sahastradhara helidrome to curb helicopter accidents caused by bad weather.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has approved the release of funds for the construction of an ATC tower at the Sahastradhara helidrome in Dehradun district, as well as for various other items. Under this, the Chief Minister has approved a total of ₹2.35 crore from the State Contingency Fund to assist districts in making various arrangements for the successful conduct of the “Government of the People, Doorstep of the People” campaign.
The Chief Minister has approved ₹10.66 crore for the Disaster Management Department in the financial year 2025-26 to upgrade communication systems in light of disasters. Additionally, the Municipal Corporation of Kashipur approved the construction of high-tech toilets at three locations in the Kashipur area: a seven-seater toilet at Tanda Tiraha, a nine-seater toilet at Chaiti Tiraha, costing a total of 63.32 lakh rupees, a nine-seater toilet at Chaiti Mela Ground, costing 69.82 lakh rupees.
The Chief Minister also approved a total of ₹1.58 crore for the Nagar Panchayat office building in Tapovan, Tehri Garhwal, and a first-phase sum of ₹11.31 lakh for the construction of a multi-storey parking lot near Dewal Bazaar (Taxi) in Dewal, a development block in Tharali, a constituency in the Assembly constituency. The Chief Minister also approved the renaming of the Kunigad-Hiruli Bazaar to Rampur-Chaukhutia motorway in Chaukhutia, a development block in Dwarahat, Almora district, as the Martyr Subedar Bhavani Dutt Joshi (Army Medal) motorway.
