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Uttarakhand Seeks Direct Flights to Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya from Dehradun

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has formally requested the Union Government to establish direct flight connectivity from Dehradun to the major religious destinations of Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya. In response, Union Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu detailed existing services while clarifying that route decisions are made by airlines based on commercial viability. The Ministry has forwarded the state's request to all domestic carriers for their consideration. The proposed routes aim to significantly ease travel for pilgrims and are expected to boost religious tourism and economic activity in the region.

Key Points: Uttarakhand CM Pushes for Direct Flights to Key Religious Cities

  • CM Dhami requests better air links to holy cities
  • 254 weekly flights already operate from Dehradun
  • Aviation Ministry forwards request to airlines
  • Decision rests with airlines' commercial viability
  • Expected to boost tourism and pilgrim convenience
2 min read

Uttarakhand CM Dhami seeks direct flights to Varanasi, Prayagraj, Ayodhya​

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami urges Centre for direct flights from Dehradun to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya to boost pilgrim connectivity.

"This initiative will enable the people of the state to establish direct connectivity with Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya - CM Pushkar Singh Dhami"

Dehradun, April 10

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has urged the Union government to improve air connectivity from Dehradun to the key religious destinations of Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya.​

In response to the Chief Minister's request, Union Minister of Civil Aviation Rammohan Naidu Kinjarapu informed him through a formal letter that 254 weekly round‑trip flights are currently operating from Dehradun to 11 destinations: Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Shamshabad (Hyderabad), Jaipur, Lucknow, Pune, and Kullu. These services are being run by major carriers, including IndiGo, Alliance Air, Air India, and Air India Express.​

The Minister clarified that India's domestic aviation sector is fully deregulated. Airlines enjoy complete freedom to choose aircraft types, routes, and markets based on their own operational and commercial viability. ​

He added that the final decision to start or expand services on any route lies with the individual airline operators.​

However, in response to the state's request, the Civil Aviation Ministry has forwarded the request for new or enhanced flight services from Dehradun to Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya to all scheduled domestic airlines for their consideration.​

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed optimism about the development. ​

He stated that under the guidance of PM Modi, the Central Government is continuously supporting Uttarakhand to expand air services across the state. ​

"This initiative will enable the people of the state to establish direct connectivity with Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya," said CM Dhami.​

The proposed routes hold special significance for Uttarakhand, as thousands of devotees from the state frequently travel to these holy cities for religious purposes. ​

Direct flights would significantly reduce travel time and offer greater convenience to pilgrims and general passengers alike.​

The Uttarakhand government has been actively working with the Centre to strengthen air connectivity, including recent successful launches of services to remote hill areas. ​

The state continues to press for better links to major pilgrimage and commercial hubs.​

The development is expected to boost tourism, religious travel, and overall economic activity in the region once the new routes become operational. Both the state and central governments are hopeful that domestic airlines will soon respond positively to the shared proposal.​

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While better connectivity is always welcome, I hope the focus remains on operational viability. Airlines won't run empty planes. The government should perhaps consider incentives or a Viability Gap Funding model for such socially important routes, not just forward requests.
R
Rohit P
Good move by CM Dhami. Connecting Devbhoomi Uttarakhand with other major religious centres will boost spiritual tourism significantly. Hope IndiGo or Air India picks this up soon. Jai Shri Ram! 🚩
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Priyanka N
As a frequent traveler for work, I appreciate the existing connectivity to metros. But adding Varanasi and Ayodhya makes perfect sense. It's not just about pilgrims; it will help business ties between UP and UK as well. Win-win.
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Michael C
Interesting to see the dynamics of India's deregulated aviation market at play here. The government can propose, but ultimately it's a commercial decision for the airlines. Hope the data shows enough demand on these routes.
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Kavya N
My parents are elderly and wish to visit Ayodhya. A direct flight from Dehradun would make it so much easier and safer for them than a long train journey or a flight via Delhi. Really hoping the airlines see the value in this. Fingers crossed!

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