Soz for daily air traffic for Kargil

Srinagar: State Congress chief Saifuddin Soz Sunday said that Union Defence Ministry will soon issue tenders for expansion of Ladakh airport and make it operational for public and private air services.
Talking to Rising Kashmir over phone from New Delhi, Soz said that he met Defence Minister A K Antony today and apprised him about the need of expansion of the Ladakh Airport for the benefit of people of the hilly area.
“The defence minister promised me that he will soon issue orders for the expansion of Ladakh Airport. And then the Indian Airlines and other private airlines will operate flights to and fro on daily basis,” Soz said.
He said that the operation of regular air services of Indian Airlines and other private airlines to and fro from Kargil was the long cherished demand of the people of Kargil and Ladakh.
“During my recent visit to Kargil, people complained to me that due to absence of regular air services, they are facing severe difficulties as their road link with rest of the country remains cut off for most part of the year,” he said.
After that, the State Congress chief said that he took the matter with authorities of Indian Airlines and other private air services like Kingfisher.
He also urged defence minister that the army’s shooting range (for practice) be shifted out of Kargil town to some other convenient place.
“The defence minister also accepted my suggestion of visiting Kargil soon,” Soz said.
Director Srinagar International Airport Rajesh Kalra said people of Kargil have a genuine problem with the air services.
24/05/09 Shabir Dar/Rising Kashmir

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Categories: Airports May 2009, Indian Aviation- In General May 2009