Air traffic to Kargil resumes today after 15 days

Srinagar, Jan 31 (UNI) With considerable improvement in the weather condition, air traffic to Kargil from Jammu and Srinagar resumed today after remaining suspended for about two weeks due to heavy snowfall and slip on the runway.

Official sources said 32 stranded passengers left Jammu for Kargil, in a maiden AN-32 flight today after the runway declared safe for landing.

Similarly 43 passengers arrived Jammu from Kargil, they added.

They said 91 stranded passengers left Srinagar for Kargil in two sorties of airforce AN 32 flights and 88 passengers arrived Srinagar from Kargil.

The flight could not be operated for two weeks due to unfavourable weather conditions They said one MI-17 airforce flight, carrying 14 passengers, including five Haj pilgrims, also operated between Bandipore and Gurez. Similar flight would operate tomorrow, they said.

One Mi-17 airforce flight would also operate between Kargil and Zanaskar tomorrow, subject to weather conditions, they added.

Srinagar-Kargil road had been closed for six winter months from November 15 last year due to snowfall.

UNI BAS SBC HT1815