Flight ops to continue with upgrade works at Srinagar Airport

New Delhi, Apr 25 (UNI) The Civil Aviation Ministry has agreed not to shift flight operations from the Srinagar Airport to Awantipora, on the outskirts of the city, while continuing with the expansion work at the airport.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad in a recent meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel and senior officials, impressed upon the need to simultaneously carry on both the tasks to avoid inconvenience to people.

He proposed to take up the construction works during night hours.

''This is necessitated to avoid inconvenience to people in general and domestic and international tourists in particular who intend to visit the valley during the summer... the Minister agreed to the proposal,'' he added.

Among others the meeting was attended by Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, Chairman Airport Authority of India Dr K Ramalingam, Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Health and Medical Education Mangat Ram Sharma and senior officers of Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airport Authority of India.

The meeting also deliberated upon upgrade and expansion of the Jammu and Leh airports.

The Chief Minister stressed on the need for early completion of the Terminal Building at the Srinagar Airport to facilitate commencement of international flight operations by the end of this year.

Pointing out that the Jammu airport is small to accommodate the increasing rush, the Chief Minister underscored the importance to expand the facility to international standards.

''Mr Patel agreed to depute a team of experts within one week to study the feasibility of the proposals,'' he said.

The meeting decided that after the visit of experts the Union Civil Aviation Minister, the Chairman Airport Authority of India and the Chief Minister will jointly visit the site within a fortnight.

Mr Azad also urged the Minister to increase the frequency of flights from Jammu and Srinagar to Kargil especially in winter months.

He said the Air Force Chief agreed the proposal.

Mr Azad proposed construction of airports at Kishtwar and Surankote to facilitate operation of small aircrafts.

The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister that the a team to study feasibility of expansion of Jammu airport will also study the possibilities of constructing these two airports.

UNI