In a bid to give fillip to Kashmir’s economy, the state government has recommended operation of direct international flights from Srinagar Airport here to Gulf and SAARC countries.
In its recently approved Master Plan of Srinagar metropolitanregion, government has pitched for the upgradation of infrastructure facilitiesand night land facilities at the airport.
“The airport shall be made open to international aircraftoperations under Limited International Airport Category especially to the Gulfand SAARC countries. This move is expected to boost the economic development ofthe State by way of promoting tourism, horticulture, handicrafts, etc,” readsthe plan document.
Since 2005, when it was accorded ‘International’ status, theonly international flights that operated from Srinagar airport were for Hajjpilgrims for 40 days a year.
“Srinagar is the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmirand also the largest urban settlement of the State. It is one of the preferredtourist destinations in India.
In order to develop Srinagar as a global city, one of thekey requirements will be to upgrade its air transport system as air transporthas gained significance with increase in the number of tourists and the flow offoreign investments,” it reads.
“Airport located 10 km from city centre is the loneairport of Srinagar. Besides being strategically very important, the SrinagarAirport is among the first twenty airports in India in terms of percentageshare of total passenger traffic. It is proposed that Srinagar city needs to beconnected by air to southern and eastern states of India.”
The Master Plan proposes measures to promote air traffic atAirport such as up-gradation and modernization of terminal building reflectingthe vernacular architecture to meet the future volume of air traffic; provisionof a waiting hall outside terminal building. It also recommends up-gradation ofnight landing system for introduction of night flights and landing during poorvisibility in winters face-lifting of main entry gate and provision of morelanes.
The documents recommends setting up of X-ray machines,development of a dedicated elevated corridor from Humhama Chowk to insideAirport main gate for hassle free movement of passengers; development of nightstay facilities near the Airport.’