It’s Srinagar, not Sheikh-ul-Alam, International airport: Govt

Srinagar: The government of India has not given its nod to name the airport here as Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport. Instead, it would be inaugurated on Saturday under its existing name, the Srinagar Airport, by the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to put Kashmir on the global air map.
A top government official pleading anonymity told Greater Kashmir on Thursday that as of now the center had not approved the proposal of re-christening the airport after the 14th century Muslim saint, Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-din Noorani (RA).
“The proposal is lying with the Civil Aviation ministry for a long time now. Since the new government hasn’t received any fresh communication from the center, the airport would be named as Srinagar International airport,” he said.
The PDP-Congress regime led by Mufti Muhammad Sayeed had reportedly passed a resolution for naming the airport as Sheikh-ul-Alam International Airport, and sought clearance from the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. “Though many reminders were sent to the Aviation Ministry, there was no response,” the official said.
The facility renovated at a cost of Rs 60 crore to meet international standards is receiving finishing touches. “The new terminal building is spread over an area 19,700 sq meters,” director of AAI, Rakesh Karla, told Greater Kashmir, adding it would handle both domestic as well as international traffic, 500 and 450 passengers respectively.
Care has been taken to provide the world-class facilities at the new air-conditioned and centrally-heated terminal building.
Presently, the runway, 12,000 feet long, and the airport with four aircrafts parking bays, are being developed and expanded to meet the international standards.
12/02/09 Muddasir Ali/Greater Kashmir.com

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Categories: airports, New Feb 2009