PM likely to inagurate Srinagar Intl airport in Sep

Srinagar, Jun 20: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to inaugurate the new building at the Srinagar Airport, which has been declared as an international airport, in September this year.

Union Water Resources Minister Saif-ud-din Soz stated this during his meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, according to a release by Press Information Bureau (PIB) here.

Prof Soz also stressed the need for connecting the Srinagar Airport with international destinations, especially Gulf countries.

He explained in detail to Mr Patel that since the Srinagar Airport has already been declared an international airport and the new building likely to be inaugurated in September, it should be opened for global destinations, they added.

During the meeting, Prof Soz suggested that as the Prime Minister will be attending the inaugural function, it would be feasible to allow some direct flights to Gulf countries on the occasion.

This would symbolise a positive response to the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

Prof Soz also demanded for connecting the Srinagar Airport through direct flights with Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat, Bahrain, Kuwait, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Tehran.

He assured the Minister that all international flights from Srinagar would be commercially very viable.

Prof Soz also discussed the matter with the Prime Minister at a meeting recently, the release added.

UNI