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Regarding need to develop an international standard airport in
Mandi Parliamentary Constituency, Himachal Pradesh-Laid
SUSHRI KANGNA RANAUT (MANDI): I would like to draw the
attention of the Government to the urgent need for developing and
operationalising an international-standard airport in Mandi
Constituency of Himachal Pradesh. At present, the State lacks an
airport capable of facilitating regular operations of bigger planes.
The existing airports available in the State facilitates only
narrow-bodied turbofan aircraft, which significantly limits passenger
capacity, connectivity, and tourism growth. Himachal Pradesh is
globally known for its scenic beauty, religious destinations,
adventure tourism, and cultural heritage. Tourism is a major driver
of the State?s economy and livelihood generation. However,
limited air connectivity acts as a serious bottleneck in unlocking its
full tourism and investment potential. Many tourists, both domestic
and international, face long and difficult road journeys due to the
absence of a suitable airport for larger commercial aircraft. Mandi
Constituency, owing to its central location within the State, offers
strategic geographic suitability for such infrastructure. An
international-level airport in this region could serve as a gateway
for multiple districts, improving accessibility and regional balance in
development.