Kashmir Airport Upgradation Without Closure: Indian DM

Srinagar, May 22: In view of the tourist rush, Indian Defence minister has assured the Kashmir government that the only international airport in Srinagar won't be closed during the upgradation.

In a letter to Chief Minister of the region, Indian defence minister A. K. Antony has conveyed that the up-gradation will go on without closing the civil operation of air traffic from the Srinagar Airport.

Earlier, Indian defence minister had said that the Srinagar airport will be closed during the upgradation process. Indian Air-force authority had asked for closure of the Airport for about a month during this season to undertake urgent necessary improvement works and shifting of the civil air operation to South Kashmir's Awantipora area.

This had been objected to by chief minister Omar Abdullah, who had strongly advocated for keeping the airport operational to civil traffic during the tourist season to avoid any inconvenience to the tourists and the local people.

Recognizing the Chief Minister's view point and the concern about the issue, the Indian Defence Minister today conveyed the decision of his Ministry to the chief Minister, Omar Abdullah that no closure of Srinagar Airport will take place during the current tourist season. "If there will be any dire need of any most urgent repair works, the airport will remain closed for a week in the month of September," he said.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.