Over 425 passengers still stranded in Kargil

Kargil, Jan 16 (UNI) More than 425 Srinagar-bound passengers were still stranded in this border district of Jammu and Kashmir as the IAF's AN-32 aircraft could not ply between Chandigarh and Kargil during the past few days due to bad weather and thick fog cover.

A defence official here told UNI that tickets had been issued to about 200 passengers while more than 225 were on the waiting list.

During one sortie and weather permitting, the AN-32 aircraft could carry about 60 passengers and fly about five times to and fro in a day, he added.

However, the official said since past few days, no flight could be operated between Chandigarh and Kargil due to bad weather conditions and heavy fog.

Stranded passengers report early in the morning at the Kargil airport with minimum temperature as low as minus 25 degree Celsius, but return dejected in the evening due to non-arrival of AN-32.

Passengers have requested the Army authorities for providing daily services of AN-32 in view of the several problems faced by the people of this hilly area.

UNI