Srinagar, May 5: The Travel Agents’ Association of India, J&K Chapter, has hailed chief minister Omar Abdullah for his intervention to get the repairs of the runway of Srinagar International Airport deferred till September.
 “We are thankful to the CM. He took personal interest in getting the repair work on the runway at the Srinagar International Airport deferred till September. This step would benefit the entire tourism industry in the Valley,” said Haji Khazir Muhammad Dar, chairman TAAI JK chapter.
 He said the closure of the airport for 15 days during the peak tourist season could have adversely affected the Kashmir tourism.
 Pertinently, the union defence ministry decided to defer the work that would led to closure of the Srinagar Airport, till September after Omar Abdullah lodged strong protest with defence minister A K Antony, saying it would affect the peak tourist season in the state.
 Dar said diversion of all the commercial flights to Awantipora Air Force Base was not a wise decision, “since the Awantipora Base lacks all the main infrastructure facilities.”
 The chairman also hailed government’s decision to postpone the road shows till August in Asian countries. The shows were scheduled for April 29.
  “The government had decide to hold road shows in some foreign countries namely Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, etc, at the end of April. But since we could not have been available at this time due to our engagements with the tourists, the government on our request postponed the programme,” Dar said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 5 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 6 May 2010 00:00:00 IST