Dehradun, July 4, 2025 — The Northern Region Ministers’ Conference on Civil Aviation 2025, organized by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, marked a pivotal moment in India’s aviation sector, bringing together ministers and senior officials from eight northern states and union territories in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. With the theme of “unlocking the vast potential of India’s aviation sector”, the event was inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Kinjarappu Rammohan Naidu and Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami.
This regional conference is the first in a series of zonal consultations aimed at strengthening Centre-State-industry collaboration and paving the way for inclusive, accessible, and strategic aviation growth.
India’s Aviation Revolution: 88 Airports in 10 Years
In his inaugural address, Union Minister Shri Kinjarappu Rammohan Naidu emphasized India’s transformative journey in civil aviation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership.
“In the last 10 years, we have added 88 new airports — that’s nearly one new airport every 40 days. We have introduced 60 additional flights every hour. Today, flying is more accessible, more available, and more affordable,” he stated.
The Minister highlighted how Tier II and Tier III cities represent untapped potential and are central to the Ministry’s growth strategy. He called for region-specific approaches to infrastructure development, particularly in areas such as UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) expansion, heliport infrastructure, and MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) hubs.
Uttarakhand CM Emphasizes Aviation Safety and Tourism
Speaking at the event, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami recognized the aviation sector’s critical role in regional development, tourism promotion, and emergency connectivity, especially in mountainous terrain.
He applauded the Union Government’s aviation push and emphasized the importance of ensuring safety standards, particularly for helicopter operations in Uttarakhand’s hilly regions. He also reiterated the state’s commitment to sustainable aviation development, in partnership with the Centre.
Wide Participation Across Northern India
The conference brought together a diverse panel of ministers and senior officials from:
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Rajasthan – Shri Gautam Kumar Dak
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Haryana – Shri Vipul Goel
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Uttar Pradesh – Shri Suresh Kumar Khanna
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Uttarakhand – Shri Subodh Uniyal
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Himachal Pradesh – Shri Raghubir Singh Bali
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Ladakh, Punjab, Chandigarh – Senior officials
Also present were top ministry officials including Shri Samir Kumar Sinha (Secretary, Civil Aviation), Shri Fiaz Ahmed Kidwai (DG DGCA), Shri Vipin Kumar (Chairman, Airports Authority of India), and Shri Rajesh Nirwan (DG BCAS).
Over 100 industry participants from airlines, OEMs, FTOs, PSUs (like AAI and Pawan Hans), and private sector aviation entities attended the conference, enabling valuable Centre-State-Industry interaction.
Actionable Dialogue: One-on-One Interactions and State-Specific Consultations
The conference included focused presentations by the Ministry on aviation opportunities and challenges faced by Northern states. Dedicated one-on-one meetings between state teams and the Union Minister facilitated customized planning and feedback-driven solutions.
Simultaneous sessions between state officials and industry stakeholders created a dynamic platform to discuss investment, infrastructure, manpower, and training needs, especially in the areas of:
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Heliport development
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Flying Training Organizations (FTOs)
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Cargo logistics and cold-chain aviation
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Airport modernization and connectivity
Plenary Session: Commitment to a Future-Ready Aviation Ecosystem
The concluding Plenary Session outlined the collective vision emerging from the day-long deliberations. Shri Rammohan Naidu stressed the Ministry’s dedication to:
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Developing state-wise action plans
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Supporting UDAN route expansion and rural air connectivity
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Boosting skill development through training hubs
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Enhancing MRO infrastructure in Northern India
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Strengthening centre-state-industry synergies for faster execution
The Minister also assured that the Central Government will extend full support to states in policy, funding, and technical domains to translate the discussions into actionable initiatives.
Vision Ahead: Viksit Bharat @2047 through Aviation Empowerment
The conference concluded on a high note, reaffirming the Centre’s commitment to build a robust, inclusive, and sustainable aviation ecosystem across the Northern Region. The event marks the beginning of regionalized aviation planning, contributing to India’s Viksit Bharat @2047 vision through:
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Enhanced air connectivity
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Increased regional empowerment
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Sustainable infrastructure development
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Tourism and economic revitalization
For more details, check press release on PIB website.
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