State may acquire land in Pinjore for Army chopper base

Chandigarh: Haryana government may acquire land near Pinjore airfield and flying club for a proposed helicopter base of the Army's Western Command. The state government gave these indications at a civil-military liaison conference (CMLC), which was attended by Western Army commander Lieutenant General K J Singh and Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar, on Wednesday.
Since March 2012, the Army has asking the Haryana government to allow it to use the aerodrome at Pinjore, which is in the proximity of the Western Command, for operational purposes. Despite several promises by the Haryana government at earlier editions of the annual conference, nothing concrete has come out so far. Sources confirmed to TOI that the base commander again took up the issue with the CM by explaining to him the strategic importance of their demand. Lt Gen Singh also reminded the CM about the promises made by the state government earlier in this regard.
Sources added that on hearing the Army's demand, the CM said the state government would examine the acquisition of land adjacent to the flying academy for the Army, so that facilities could be jointly utilized by the Army and state government.
According to Army officials, the "development of aviation infrastructure involves high-capital costs, and joint utilization of such infrastructure near the Western Command would be significant for its operational preparedness". The Western Command is responsible for guarding the western fronts of the country. However, the command lacks infrastructure as far as aviation is concerned. The Pinjore aerodrome, if permitted to use, would boost the command's operational prowess. Even geographically, the Pinjore aerodrome is within the proximity of western command.
Once a favourite for people wanting to learn flying, the flying academy has been non-functional for the past few years due to shortage of staff.Moot points
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In all, 19 issues of mutual interest were discussed between the Army and state govt. These included: land issues, convoy grounds, security of military stations, grievance redressal for serving soldiers and certain issues related to Air Force
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