Nahan’s heliport to link with Shimla, Chandigarh & Dharamsala

High above the pine-covered hills of Himachal, a new gateway to progress is being carved near Nahan. The proposed heliport at Dhankyari has received clearance for its Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey, marking a major breakthrough in bringing air connectivity to Sirmaur district. With the green signal now in place, the Public Works Department has entered the design phase, which will be followed by budget allocation and groundwork.

The OLS survey work had been entrusted to a private firm based in Nashik, Maharashtra. The company has already submitted its feasibility report to the authorities concerned, clearing a critical hurdle in the approval process.

Spread across 11 bigha 10 biswa of land already transferred to the Tourism Department, the heliport will be capable of handling three helicopters at a time. The facility will feature modern passenger amenities such as waiting lounges, a restaurant and essential safety and security infrastructure — providing the region with a vital aviation link.

More than just a construction project, the heliport is seen as a strategic development for Sirmaur. Once operational, it will establish direct air links between Nahan and cities like Shimla, Chandigarh and Dharamsala, significantly reducing travel time. This is particularly crucial for emergency medical evacuations, disaster management and administrative movement, all of which are currently dependent on unpredictable road travel — especially during monsoons and snowfalls.

The region’s tourism sector is expected to receive a substantial boost. Sirmaur is home to several scenic and spiritual destinations including Churdhar Peak, Renuka Ji Lake, the Suketi Fossil Park and the Paonta Sahib Gurdwara. Snow-covered locales like Haripurdhar and Nohradhar, along with adventure hubs such as Ser Jagas and Badyalta known for paragliding, could become much more accessible to visitors. The heliport could play a key role in bringing these lesser-known gems into the mainstream tourism map.

Besides tourism, the project is likely to generate local employment both during the construction phase and after it becomes operational. Jobs in hospitality, transport coordination, site maintenance and aviation support services will open up for local youth. The regular arrival of travellers may also give rise to ancillary businesses such as food outlets, tour operations and souvenir shops.

Executive Engineer of Public Works Department’s Nahan division, Alok Juneja confirmed the developments, stating, “With the OLS survey now approved, the matter has been forwarded to the state government. Once the design is received from the Chief Architect, a detailed project report will be prepared. Construction work will begin after budget is approved by the government.”

Himachal Tribune