SHIMLA — The Himachal Pradesh High Court has taken a stern view of the lack of air connectivity to the state capital, questioning the Central Government on why Shimla appears to be facing “step-motherly treatment” under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), popularly known as UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik).
In a recent hearing that highlights the growing frustration over the state’s transport infrastructure, a division bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi expressed deep concern that Shimla remains significantly underserved despite being a major tourist hub and the state’s administrative center.
A State Capital Without Wings
During the proceedings, the court pointed out a glaring irony: while the Union Government promotes regional connectivity to the farthest corners of the country, Shimla—one of India’s most iconic hill stations—remains the only state capital in the country not effectively connected under the UDAN scheme.
The High Court noted that the residents and tourists of Himachal Pradesh are often forced to undertake an arduous eight-hour road journey to reach Delhi via Chandigarh. The bench emphasized that for a state whose economy is heavily reliant on tourism, reliable air connectivity is not a luxury but a “bounden duty” of the Union of India.
The Conflict: Commercial Viability vs. Public Service
The Union Ministry of Civil Aviation filed an affidavit stating that approximately ₹116.7 crore had been allocated for the development of Shimla airport and ₹37.3 crore for Kullu airport. However, the ministry contended that airlines operate on these routes based on commercial viability. Currently, operations by Alliance Air have been sporadic due to aircraft shortages and technical limitations of the airstrip, which can only accommodate smaller aircraft like the ATR-42.
In stark contrast, the Himachal Pradesh state government argued that the modified UDAN scheme announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 completely excluded Shimla, with no routes allocated for critical sectors like Delhi-Shimla or Shimla-Dharamshala.
Key Points of Contention:
- Funding: The state government has already provided ₹32.6 crore as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) to Alliance Air, but maintains it cannot sustain such payments indefinitely without Central support.
- Infrastructure: While Kangra (Dharamshala) enjoys nearly 50 weekly flights, Shimla’s schedule remains empty or unreliable.
- Exclusion: The state highlighted that the latest budgetary allocations for the UDAN scheme seem to have bypassed the state capital entirely.
Court Summons Civil Aviation Secretary
The High Court has now summoned the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation to appear via videoconferencing in the next hearing. The Secretary is expected to explain the Centre’s roadmap for restoring regular flights and why the state capital has been sidelined in the most recent phases of the connectivity project.
The court’s intervention comes at a critical time as Alliance Air has reportedly agreed in principle to resume operations this month, subject to the availability of aircraft. The bench has signaled that it will monitor the situation closely to ensure that “in-principle” agreements translate into actual flight schedules for the people of Himachal.
The Road Ahead for Himachal Tourism
For the hospitality sector in Shimla, which has faced significant challenges due to erratic weather and road blockages in recent years, the High Court’s stance is a beacon of hope. Stakeholders believe that consistent air connectivity could revolutionize the tourism landscape, attracting high-end travelers and reducing the pressure on the fragile Himalayan road infrastructure.
As the legal battle continues, the eyes of the state are on the upcoming hearing scheduled for later this May, where the Centre will have to provide a concrete justification for Shimla’s “flightless” status.
