By IANS,
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Monday asked the central government for Rs.27,556 crore in the Twelfth Five-Year Plan to build an airport and to complete other development projects in the state.
Dhumal, who was speaking at the regional-level consultation on the plan approach paper called by the Planning Commission in Delhi, said the size of the grant for the state should be doubled keeping in view the prevalent rate of inflation.
Dhumal also demanded a time-bound roadmap for tapping hydropower potential and special package for tourism development and the expansion of the rail network, an official statement said here.
The chief minister asked for funds for the construction of an airport of international standards near Shimla to strengthen the civil aviation infrastructure in the state.
Besides, he demanded that helicopter services be subsidised like in the northeast.
Seeking the completion of all ongoing railway projects, Dhumal said the central government should declare the Bilaspur-Leh rail line via Manali as a project of national importance.