Srinagar, Sept 17: Much to the respite of flyers, the Srinagar ‘International’ Airport was Friday thrown open for flights operation after 15 days of its closure on account of runway repairs.
All flights to and from the aerodrome—which was closed on September 3 on account of runway re-carpeting—operated normally on Friday. During the repair period, the flights would operate from the Awantipora Air Base—32 kms from here, though for the past three days the flights to Valley had remained completely suspended following police failure to ensure security of passengers and the airline staff in the wake of continued street protests.
Sources said the Indian Air Force, manning the airport, finished the repair work following which the air traffic resumed.
However, due to stringent curfew in place, the passengers complained of “harassment” by police and paramilitary CRPF, though the state government had yesterday made it clear that the air tickets shall be treated as curfew passes. “The government must see if the air tickets are really treated as curfew passes on ground or not,” said Zubair, a passenger. “I had to literally beg before the forces to allow me to the airport. It is only after the intervention by a senior police officer that I was allowed.”
Even the airline staffers complained that they were not allowed to the airport. “We have staff strength of 20 persons. But only six of them were able to reach the airport because the security forces didn’t honour the curfew passes of other employees,” said station manager of a commercial airline.
Chaos also prevailed over the government announcement to transport passengers to the airport from the Tourist Reception Centre. Those who visited the airport directly in their private cars had to face a lot of difficulty. “The security forces must ensure that those accompanying the passengers are allowed to their homes on their return from the airport. And it must make it clear whether the passengers have to reach the airport directly or board a bus at the TRC,” said Zubair.
Meanwhile, police and paramilitary forces had been deployed in heavy numbers along the Srinagar airport road. Witnesses said Army too was seen patrolling the road.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST