State spends ₹56 cr over building airstrips at Ambaji, Dwarka, other pilgrim sites

The Gujarat government has initiated a project to develop airstrips at 11 pilgrim spots across the state. Talking over this, the state’s civil aviation minister, Balvantsinh Rajput, notified the assembly that the state has spent ₹56.46 cr on these projects till now.

Out of which, ₹4.55 cr was spent in 2022 and ₹51.91 cr in 2023.

Air-strip project works in progress:

- Ambaji collector has been informed regarding the land acquisition at the pilgrim spot.

- The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has been consulted over the pre-feasibility of the land acquired in Dwarka. While the same was rejected for Palitana, following which, a new land is being scouted by the authorities.

- Talks with the archaeology department have been initiated as the land selected at Dholavira falls under their jurisdiction.

- Apron and taxiway were set up in the phase 1 construction at Ankleshwar. The runway construction there has been completed by 80%.

- The unavailability of land falling under the requirements of the study has led to the project stalling at Rajpipla.

- Land acquisition is underway at Mandvi as well as Morbi, where a 2,500-metre runway is to be constructed.

- Authorities are in talks of developing an airstrip at Dahej, Bagodara, and Vanod, among other locations.

- On top of this, land acquisition formalities for the seaplane facility from Ahmedabad to Dhoraji have been initiated by the irrigation department.

This project would be similar to the previous sea-plane connectivity of Ahmedabad to Kevadiya.

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