The planned expansion of Pantnagar airport in Udham Singh Nagar district will require the relocation of the Rudrapur-Pantnagar highway (NH-74) by approximately 7 km from its current route. The airport authority has been allocated land to expedite surveying, mapping, and extension activities.

District Magistrate Udayraj Singh confirmed that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been allotted 103 acres of land within the airport expansion zone for the highway's relocation. A survey to plan the new route will begin soon.

Sub-divisional Magistrate (SDM) Manish Bisht handed over around 525 acres of land from Pantnagar University and Terai Development Corporation (TDC) to the airport authority. "Tenders have already been issued to demolish TDC buildings within the expansion area," SDM Bisht added.

As part of the safety measures for the expansion, Pantnagar Airport Director Monika Dembla mentioned the need to remove large, overgrown trees along the airport boundary, which pose security risks.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) UC Tiwari said, "Some tree species will require special permissions for removal, and we will provide a list to the airport authority to proceed accordingly."

(ET)