WE THE PEOPLE
With J&K figuring on global air map, Srinagar airport still needs latest gadgets to conform to international standards
Hence people demand faultless landing facilities to have worldwide connectivity without interruptions
By: Ahlam Masoodi
SRINAGAR: With the inauguration of Srinagar International Airport by Sonia Gandhi the other day, J&K has come on the global air map of the world. The airport witnessed the first International Flight of Air India Express on Dubai-Srinagar-Dubai sector and to begin with the weekly AI flight is expected to provide connectivity to the immigrant population from the state in West Asia and thus boost the Tourism Sector to a great extent.
It is worth mentioning that Srinagar International Airport was scheduled to be completed on April 15,2008 but the executing Agency failed and requested for extension up to June 30. Both these deadlines got missed and now it has become operational on Friday, February 13. The Civil Aviation Minister had promised that an instrument landing system would be installed at the airport, once the Indian Air Force administers the facility and flashes the green signal, but has not been done till todate. However, it is heartening to learn that growth of Air traffic has assumed an upward trend in J&K as compared to other states of the country.
It is fact that due to hostile geographic conditions, Kashmir Valley often faces disruption in both land and air communication links with the rest of the world. There are countries where weather conditions remain mostly unfavorable, but those don’t face any difficulty and their communication system remains unaffected. It is due to adoption of the latest technology that their air and road links are hassle-free. Perhaps this theory took roots in the higher echelons of the State Administration, which prompted it to involve Airport Authority of India (AAI) to modernize Jammu and Kashmir Airports to keep them open for international flights throughout the year.
It is learnt that the AAI is working on development of Airports in the State on a fast track basis. Apart from building an international airport terminal at Srinagar, it is also building new terminals and extending runways at Leh and Jammu. The extension of runway of Kargil Airport and resurfacing and extension of Kishtwar Air Strip is also on the cards.
The Srinagar airport has now an integrated terminal building for domestic and international passengers. The new airport is to have two aero-bridges initially whose number could be increased at a future date. The terminal building is to handle 950 passengers comprising of 500 domestic and 450 international at a given point. It is the first airport in the country to have inline baggage x-ray system. The terminal building comprises of 6 sections, covering an area of 2-lakh sq.ft. But people demand adoption of latest gadgets to keep the airport operational in all weather conditions. What is generally observed that flights get canceled whenever weather turns hostile. This should not happen when the said airport has been upgraded and thrown open to international flights.
It is further learnt that the modernization of Leh airport is being done at a cost of Rs.112 crore. The new terminal building is proposed to be an integrated structure to handle domestic and also international flights, if and when these operate from there. The airport will have two aero-bridges. The apron work has reportedly been completed. The Kargil airport is in for runway extension from the present 6000-ft length to 7500 ft. Possibilities of a 19-seater civil aircraft service to Kargil is under active consideration of the authorities. It is also reported that the length of the runway of Jammu airport is being extended from the existing 6700 ft. to 9000ft. Rs 250 crore has been sanctioned for modernizing Jammu airport.
Hence people demand faultless landing facilities to have worldwide connectivity without interruptions. With the modernization of airports to be followed by the operation of International commercial flights is going to have far-reaching effect on the economy of the State. This will generate tourist trade by attracting tourists across the globe. But the authorities must leave no stone unturned in ensuring hassle-free international flights so that these do not encounter any difficulty in landing during inclement weather.
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