In a major step towards enhancing strategic infrastructure on the India-China border, the Government of Uttarakhand on Tuesday handed over airstrips at Chinyalisaur and Gauchar to the Indian Air Force (IAF). These landing strips are situated in the mountains in the fringes of the Chinese bordering state of Uttarakhand, and now the Air Force will operate and maintain these air strips, further improving the capability of the country in rapid deployment and surveillance within this region.
The decision is a subset of a larger program to enhance border security and, at the same time, provide the civilian population with connectivity under such conditions. In conjunction with this, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will develop and expand the airport in Pithoragarh for 450 crore rupees. The new airport will serve both as a military and a civilian facility, an essential transport hub to the region, in terms of tourism and strategic functions.
Authorities have pointed out that the combination of Chinyalisaur and Gauchar airstrips will position the Air Force in a stronger position so as to monitor and provide logistical assistance, as well as respond to emergencies in the Himalayan terrain. All these airstrips have been targeted at facilitating rapid movements of troops, including medical evacuation, and delivery of critical supplies to border regions. This decision, by bringing such facilities under military control, is expected to enhance its operations in the area by enabling a faster response.
The state government is, at the same time, ensuring that the developments benefit local people. Helicopter services proposed under the UDAN scheme will connect Pithoragarh Airport to other destinations, which include Munsiyari and Dharchula, helping connect remote villages and pilgrimage locales. A 1 km airstrip is also planned to be built in Gunji to make access to the Adi Kailash religious circuit, thus combining not only religious tourism but also strategic depth.
This effort exposes India in its aim to achieve dual usage of its infrastructure, which can be used in both civilian and defence sectors. The relocation will prevent local development at the cost of strategic preparedness. By merging military and civilian activity, the state will be reinforcing growth, tourism and connectivity, whilst retaining national security concerns.
Experts feel that such measures will change the face of aviation in Uttarakhand, which could be the blueprint for balanced development of infrastructure in mountain terrain with international borders. The commissioning of such airstrips is a new dawn that will not only enhance regional accessibility but also boost the level of security in the region since the two seem to complement one another.
