Jhabua
Kayavad has started towards renewed construction of Gopalpura Hawaii Patti of Jhabua. 120 hectares of land will be required for expansion. Out of this, 23.62 hectares of land is currently recorded in the name of airstrip from the east. Apart from this, 71.33 hectares of forest land and 0.41 hectares of private land will have to be acquired.
While 24.64 hectares of government land will also be used for this work. After expansion, the current 792 meters air board will increase 1660 meters long. A 2250 square meter hanger will be constructed here with 2 helipads. Apart from this, other works will also be done. Which will cost a total of Rs 95.37 crore. Collector Neha Meena has prepared the proposal and sent it to the aviation commissioner.
Small aircraft will be able to land during Simhastha
Given Ujjain Simhastha-2028, it has been decided to expand the airstrip located 4 km from the district headquarters, so that small aircraft can land here. Currently Air Streep is used to unload helicopters during VIP visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed here by helicopter during the Jhabua tour twice. PM Shri Tourism Air Service and PM Shri Religious Tourism Heli Seva also include the name of Jhabua’s Air Strip.
Length will increase up to 1660 meters
The length of aerial board will be increased to 1660 meters as per the prescribed standard. While the width will be 30 meters as before. Hanger will be built here to keep plane with the construction of 2 helipads. In 1000 square meters, two houses of Eye type will also be built for administrative buildings and employees to stay. The culvert will be constructed at 70 meters width. 6621 to keep the entire area safe The meter long and 2.10 meters high boundary wall will be built.
In Jhabua district, a big initiative is being taken to make Gopalpura Air Strip, which has been inactive for years, active. Keeping in mind the Simhastha Mahakumbh to be held in Ujjain in 2028, the possibilities of introduction of air services in Jhabua are increasing rapidly. A proposal of about Rs 52 crore has been sent to the state government for the expansion of this air strip located just 4 km from the district headquarters, which is expected to be approved soon.
Currently limited use, runway expansion needs
Currently this air strip is used only for VIP helicopter landing, as its runway is only 792 meters long, which is not enough for the landing of large aircraft. Under the new proposal, the runway will be extended to 2600 meters, so that small airplanes can also land here. Along with this, plans are also included to construct infrastructure like aircraft, control room, electrification and boundarywall.
Forest department role in the process of land transfer
Additional land will be required for runway expansion, which is currently under the Forest Department. In such a situation, it is proposed to transfer land with permission from the forest department. As soon as this process is completed, expansion works can be started.
Ujjain will play an important role in Simhastha
During a huge religious event like Simhastha, crowds at Indore Airport may increase immensely. In such a situation, developing as an alternative to Jhabua Air Streep will not only divide the passenger load, but from here the pilgrims will also get the facility to reach Ujjain directly. Jhabua has also been included in PM Shri Tourism Air Service and Religious Tourism Heli Seva schemes, which further enhances its importance.
History of Air Strip is 35 years old
This Air Streep was built in the year 1989-90 and has been used till now for a limited VIP movement. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also descended from the helicopter on this air strip during his visit to Jhabua, which proves its strategic utility.
Aviation Training Center’s plan failed
In the year 2006-07, it was planned to set up an aviation training center at this place. For this, an agreement was signed between the state government and the Aerospace Academy of Central India and Air Streep was leased for 10 years. But the plan could not proceed and later the agreement also ended.
Development will speed
The initial proposal for the expansion of aerial patti located in Gopalpura has been sent to the Aviation Commissioner. The proposal is expected to be approved soon in view of Ujjain Simhastha.– Neha Meena, Collector, Jhabua
