Speaking to media persons at Jubbarhatti airport today, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ananth Kumar said the study would be carried out by a high-level committee headed by Chairman, Airport Authority of India (AAI), D.V. Gupta. To be constituted within a month's time, the committee is to submit its report within 45 days.

Ananth Kumar, along with a team of senior officials from the Indian Airlines (IA) came here on the Delhi-Shimla inaugural flight. Chairman-cum-managing director IA, Anil Bielji, chairman Airport Authority of India D.V. Gupta, three BJP MPs Shanta Kumar, Maheshwar Singh and Suresh Chandel were also on board. They were received by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, state assembly Speaker Gulab Singh Thakur and other senior officials at the airport. Later they left for Bhuntar.

The Union Minister said none of the three existing airports in Himachal Pradesh had the 7000-feet long runway required for the landing of Boeings, required for boosting the tourism potential of the state. The runway at Shimla, though extended to 4500 feet would not serve the purpose.

Besides upgradation of airports, there was need for construction of a new airstrip at Bilaspur, so that tourists would reach Himachal Pradesh through the four entry points Shimla, Kullu, Gagal and Bilaspur. Citing the example of newly constructed airport at Langpui (Mizoram), Kumar said the Himachal Pradesh government should come forward with a detailed plan by the time the techno-economic feasibility report was received. He said the ministry was ready to start special package tours for Himachal Pradesh under its ``explore-India'' plan. The modalities would be worked out in consultation with state government and all sitting MPs from the state. The Union Minister said that IA would soon sign a memorandum with the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) to promote the State's tourism potential, both within and outside the country.

Besides introduction of the Delhi-Shimla-Bhuntar flight, IA would start a new flight for Gagal Airport in Kangra district. Initially the flight would be run thrice a week, he said.

On the Chief Minister's plea to subside air fares for Himachal Pradesh on the North-East pattern, Kumar said high prices of aviation fuel were coming in the way of lowering fares. ``The matter has been taken up with the Ministry of Petroleum to discontinue the administrative price mechanism for the aviation fuel, to reduce the operational costs.'' Kumar said.

Earlier, welcoming the Minister, the CM said the government had taken up the matter of subsidy in air fare with the Union Aviation Ministry and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, so as to expand all existing airports to handle landing of bigger aircraft. He also demanded starting of helicopter services to promote tourism, especially the tribal areas of the state. Assembly Speaker Gulab Singh Thakur also sought the minister's help for better air services in the state.