The central government has made it clear that expanding runways at Shimla and Kullu airports is not possible. At the same time, the proposed expansion of Kangra Airport remains stuck because the state government has not yet handed over the required land.
Replying to a question in Parliament, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said that all three airports — Kangra, Kullu, and Shimla — face serious topographical problems that limit their growth.
Why Shimla and Kullu Runway Expansion Was Ruled Out
The government stated that expanding runways at Shimla and Kullu airports is not feasible. The main reasons are the difficult mountain terrain and the lack of available land. According to the minister, these constraints make any future development at these two airports very limited.
This decision directly affects air connectivity in the region. Both Shimla and Kullu are popular tourist destinations, and their airports currently have short runways that can only handle small aircraft.
Kangra Airport Expansion Awaits Land Transfer
Unlike Shimla and Kullu, the government has prepared a proposal to expand Kangra Airport. This was done after a request from the Himachal Pradesh government. However, the project cannot move forward until the state government transfers 369.82 acres of land to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The minister confirmed that the AAI has the expansion plan ready, but it is "awaiting the transfer of 369.82 acres of land by the state government." Until this land is handed over, the expansion of Kangra Airport will remain on hold.
Our Take: A Clear Message on Airport Limits
This is a straightforward case of geography winning over ambition. The Centre has been honest about what is possible and what is not. Shimla and Kullu airports are built in difficult mountain terrain, and no amount of planning can change that. It makes sense to stop pushing for expansion there and focus on Kangra instead.
But the real problem is the delay in land transfer for Kangra. The Himachal Pradesh government asked for the expansion, the AAI prepared the plan, and now the state is not handing over the land. This kind of back-and-forth hurts development. If the state wants better air connectivity, it needs to move quickly on the land issue. Otherwise, this project will face the same fate as the others — stuck and forgotten.