Panel moots commercial flights to Kargil

New Delhi: Finding a tourist upsurge in the terrorism-torn Jammu and Kashmir, a parliamentary standing committee has asked the central government to start commercial flights for Kargil, the border town better known as the hot-spot of the last Indo-Pak war. It should be connected with a daily hopping flight between Jammu, Srinagar and Leh to mainly provide the local tourists a smoother way to explore the state, suggests the committee.
Currently, the Kargil airbase is used exclusively by the military for its troop and cargo movements. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism, Transport and Culture has, however, not suggested any transfer of ownership of this key forward airbase to the Airports Authority of India, but has asked the civil aviation ministry to immediately start commercial operations to enable civilians enjoy an air-ride over the picturesque land.
"The current arrangement of flights is such that only outside tourists are encouraged to come to Jammu and Kashmir. But the locals are now showing interest in visiting different parts of the state. This trend should be promoted," Sitaram Yechury, chairman of the parliamentary panel, said.
20/06/08 Business Standard

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Categories: New Jun 2008