Shimla, March 18 (IANS) The runway of the Shimla airport has shrunk due to soil erosion and there are plans to undertake its restoration, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said Thursday.
“The runway of the Shimla airport has shrunk due to soil erosion. Its actual length has been reduced to 3,800 feet from 4,100 feet due to soil erosion,” Dhumal, who also holds the tourism and civil aviation portfolio, said in a written statement in the state assembly.

“The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has planned to undertake restoration work so that effective length of the runway could be restored to the original one,” he said.

He said the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Roorkee had also prepared a feasibility report in this regard.

The chief minister, in his budget speech, also said the government was exploring the possibility of establishing an airport of international standard in the state.

“The private sector will be encouraged to build airports at places where there is minimum requirement of land,” he said.

To attract high-end tourists in the state, the government was also planning to invite private players to operate helicopter taxis.

“We are planning to invite private players to operate helicopter taxis on various routes after obtaining clearance from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA),” Dhumal said.

Known for its tourist spots, Himachal Pradesh has seen an increase in inflow of tourists. The state last year attracted 11,437,155 tourists, including 400,583 foreigner. This year till Feb 28, 917,807 people visited the state.