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The Centre has ruled out runway expansion at the Shimla and Kullu airports, citing geographical constraints that make such projects technically unviable. An expert committee has instead recommended identifying a new site to meet Shimla's future aviation requirements. Meanwhile, the proposed expansion of Kangra Airport remains under consideration but is contingent on the completion of land acquisition. The developments reflect the challenges of strengthening air connectivity in Himachal Pradesh's mountainous terrain while balancing engineering feasibility, environmental concerns and infrastructure needs.
The Union government has ruled out proposals to extend the runways at Shimla and Kullu airports after technical assessments concluded that the projects are not feasible because of the difficult terrain surrounding both facilities.
The decision follows a review by an expert committee constituted to examine the possibility of enhancing aviation infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. The panel found that the geographical limitations at Shimla Airport make runway expansion impractical and has instead recommended identifying a suitable alternative location for a new airport capable of meeting the region's long-term air connectivity needs.
A similar conclusion was reached for Kullu Airport, where steep hills, limited available land and operational constraints were found to significantly restrict the scope for runway extension. The government indicated that these physical limitations leave little room for meaningful expansion while maintaining aviation safety standards.
The assessment comes as the Centre continues to evaluate ways to improve air connectivity in the hill state, where mountainous topography presents unique engineering challenges. Airports in the region often operate under restrictive conditions because of short runways, surrounding valleys and weather-related constraints, limiting aircraft operations and passenger capacity.
While expansion plans for Shimla and Kullu have effectively been ruled out, the proposed development of Kangra Airport remains on the government's agenda. Officials said the project can move forward only after the required land acquisition process is completed, which remains one of the key prerequisites before construction activities can begin.
The Kangra airport expansion is expected to increase the facility's operational capability and enable it to handle larger aircraft, improving connectivity to the state's tourism and commercial centres. However, authorities noted that timely completion of land acquisition will determine the pace of the project.
The Centre's latest assessment underscores the complexity of infrastructure development in Himalayan states, where terrain, environmental considerations and engineering feasibility often influence project planning as much as funding availability. In several instances, constructing entirely new facilities has been considered more practical than attempting to expand existing airports constrained by surrounding geography.
The decision is expected to shape Himachal Pradesh's future aviation strategy, with greater emphasis likely to be placed on developing infrastructure at locations where topographical conditions are more conducive to long-term expansion while ensuring reliable air connectivity across the state.
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