SHIMLA-28 January, 2026

Chief Minister mourns demise of Ajit Pawar

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has mourned the demise of Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Ajit Pawar in a plane crash at Baramati in Maharashtra today morning.

The Chief Minister said that Ajit Pawar was an experienced politician and had made immense contributions for the development of Maharashtra, which will be remembered by the people for a long period.

He prayed to the Almighty to give peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss.

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CM congratulates HP Police for securing first position in ERSS-112 response time

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has congratulated the Himachal Pradesh Police for securing the first position in the country for average response time under the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112) during the last 24 hours. He said that this achievement reflects the efficiency, dedication and professionalism of the police force in ensuring timely assistance to citizens in distress.

The Chief Minister said that despite Himachal Pradesh’s challenging mountainous terrain, long travel distances and limited resources, the State has emerged as the best performer in emergency response, which is a matter of pride for all Himachalis. He said that the state government was committed to strengthening police modernization, technology-driven policing and citizen-centric governance to further enhance public safety services.

The Chief Minister appreciated the consistent efforts of the ERSS-112 teams, police stations and field officers across the State for their disciplined working procedures, effective use of technology and strong field-level supervision, which have played a key role in improving response times. He said that the State Government will continue to provide all necessary support for improving emergency response systems and strengthening policing infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh has secured the first position in the country for average response time under ERSS-112 during the last 24 hours. He said that this achievement has been made possible due to the consistent efforts of ERSS-112 teams, police stations and field officers across the State, who ensured quick mobilization and timely assistance to citizens in distress.

Sh. Sukhu said that disciplined working procedures, effective use of technology and strong field-level supervision have played a key role in improving response times. He said that despite the State’s challenging terrain and long travel distances, Himachal Pradesh Police has been able to provide the fastest emergency response compared to all other States and Union Territories.

DGP Ashok Tiwari expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his continuous support, especially in strengthening police modernization and technology-driven policing. He said that Speed, Sensitivity and Service will remain the guiding motto of the Himachal Pradesh Police and this achievement is not merely a ranking, but a reaffirmation of the commitment that whenever any citizen in Himachal Pradesh calls for help, the police will reach them at the earliest.

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State to provide Rs. 31 crore annually to support Delhi–Shimla–Dharamshala flights

A Spokesperson of the state government today said that in a significant initiative to strengthen air connectivity, and to promote high-end and time-sensitive tourism, the government has decided to operationalise regular flight services on the Delhi-Shimla and Shimla-Dharamshala routes. The flights will operate seven days a week, with the state government providing financial assistance of Rs. 31 crore per annum to ensure their sustained operation.

He said that the present state government under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was according top priority to the tourism sector and has launched multiple initiatives to enhance visitor facilities. He emphasized that tourism has the potential to play a pivotal role in strengthening the State’s economy while generating employment and self-employment opportunities for the youth.

A spokesman of the State Government said that enhanced air connectivity would give a major boost to tourism and contribute significantly to the overall economic development of the State. The initiative will reduce travel time, improve accessibility, and facilitate seamless movement for tourists, business travelers, and the general public.

The spokesman added that reliable air services to Shimla and Dharamsala would also strengthen administrative functioning, enable faster medical evacuations, and ensure timely response during emergencies and natural disasters. The continued operation of these routes is a strategic infrastructure intervention aimed at promoting tourism and fostering long-term socio-economic growth. Subsidized regional air connectivity will benefit daily commuters, business travelers, and tourists alike.

He further stated that, in addition to the three operational airports, the State has several helipads and is constructing heliports at every district headquarters and other major tourist destinations. Recently, helicopter services have been launched from the Sanjauli heliport to Chandigarh and Reckong Peo, offering tourists a unique opportunity to experience the scenic beauty of the State. Additionally, helicopter services on the Sanjauli-Rampur-Reckong Peo and Sanjauli-Manali (SASE Helipad) routes would also be started soon. Proposals for these routes have already been submitted to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for approval of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).