Srinagar, Aug 30: The proposed closure of the Srinagar International Airport—a move which now stands halted—on account of runway repairs has generated a debate in Kashmir with stakeholders demanding that the Valley must have a civil airport “devoid of any interference by the Indian Air Force.”
The demand comes in the wake of recurring discord between the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the Airports Authority of India with the Indian Air Force. Pertinently, the Srinagar airport is under the operational control of the Indian Air Force while all other airports across the country are manned by the Airports Authority of India. Here the AAI has been allegedly ‘cut to size’ by the IAF, with former just taking care of the terminal building and boarding of passengers, while the flight operation, landing of aircrafts, and runway is under the direct control of the IAF.
“If the Srinagar airport is run by the Airport Authority of India like others airports in India, then we may possibly not have the problems like flights blackout in future. Such drastic steps affect people in general and the stakeholders in particular. It has become imperative that the Valley must have a civil airport,” said Siraj Ahmad, who heads the Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHRA).
“This time both the airports in Kashmir are controlled and manned by the Air Force, giving little space for the Airports Authority of India to manage their affairs. In the Valley, a large population is dependent for livelihood on the tourism sector, which is often hit by the IAF measures like runway repairs.  It is better if the Srinagar International Airport is completely manned by the Airports Authority of India and the Awantipora Air-Base by the IAF. That can solve the problem once and for all,” said Rauf Tramboo, president of the Travel Agents Association of Kashmir.
 He said the IAF moves often cause inconvenience to people and those associated with the tourism industry.
 According to sources, the Civil Aviation Department and the commercial airlines are at the back and call of the Indian Air Force, which is calling the shots.

3 PM DIKTAT
 Earlier this year, they said, the IAF decided that all the 15 commercial flights—operating to and from Srinagar daily—must ensure that they operate between 9AM to 3 PM. The IAF diktat, the sources said, evoked little reaction from the airlines and the state government, though both condemned the move privately. “The IAF just dictates terms to the state and the airlines. They decide everything. We are just at their beck and call. Even if we say something that is not heeded to,” said station manager of a commercial airline, insisting not to be named. “The flights’ landing and take off is the sole discretion of the IAF. They decide which flight should land first and which second. If they wish, they can cancel the flights at will or keep the private aircraft hovering in the air till their owned aircraft land and take off.”

ILS ROW
 In April this year, the commissioning of a vital landing instrument brought the Indian Air Force and the Airports Authority of India at loggerheads with each other. The instrument worth Rs two crores is waiting for commissioning at the Srinagar International Airport for the past many months just because the IAF wants its location to be changed in the wake of runway repairs.
 “The AAI has installed the Instrumentation Landing System— a ground-based system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway to enable its safe landing during reduced visibility—in November 2009. Since then, the vital equipment has not been commissioned, much to the chagrin of the pilots, who often complain of ‘difficulty’ in landing during extreme weather conditions,” the sources said. “The moment it was installed, the IAF raised some objections that it can be commissioned only when they complete some work on the runway.”
 This time the airliners reportedly land at 2 kms distance, but they could do it at 800 meters once the ISL is installed.

AIRPORT CLOSURE
 This time around, the row over the closure of the Srinagar International Airport also caused anxiety among people. “Both aerodromes in the Valley are manned by the IAF. That should be a matter of concern for the state government. The IAF cannot take people for a ride time and again. The state must explore the option of having its own airport or the one manned by the Airports Authority of India,” said a senior official in the Department of Civil Aviation.
 It is understood that the IAF seldom consults the authorities of the Civil Aviation Department while taking the crucial decisions.

OFFICIALS SILENT
 The Srinagar-based AAI and IAF officials refused to talk about the issue while a senior official in the Civil Aviation Department said the matter had to be taken up at the highest decision making level. “Such decisions are not taken at the state level. It is the union government which has to think about it,” he said.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 31 Aug 2010 00:00:00 IST