Sheikh ul Alam’s name missing

Srinagar: Even before its completion, the international airport in Srinagar has landed into controversy with the Government of India naming it as Srinagar International Airport instead of the recommended Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport.
“We have named the airport as Srinagar International Airport,” a top official of Airport Authority of India said.
On why the name of the airport had been changed although the State had recommended the name of Sheikh ul Alam, the famous Sufi saint of Kashmir for the new international airport, the official said they had not received any communication from the Government of India (GoI) about naming the airport after the Sufi saint.
“We do not take decision on our own,” the official said. “Before any such step we receive notification from the Government of India. In this case they did not approve the name Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport. If we receive such a communication, we would definitely name it so.”
The airport authorities have erected the signboard for the airport but the name of Sheikh ul Alam is missing.
After much deliberation, the majority of the political leaders arrived at a consensus to name the Srinagar airport after the famous Sufi saint.
About the completion of work on the airport, the official said the airport is not ready to host the international flights as yet since the work is pending.
05/09/08 Wasim Khalid/Rising Kashmir

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Categories: Airports Sep 2008