Tourism Ministry recommends expansion of Srinagar airport

Union Tourism Ministry has recommended “upgradation” of Srinagar ‘International’ Airport stating that failure to upgrade its facilities would lead to bad publicity of Kashmir tourism sector, reported Muker Akmali in Greater Kashmir. 
A report by Union Tourism Ministry titled ‘20 years of Perspective and Sustainable Tourism in JK’ states that “there is need for expansion of Srinagar airport, state airline service (19 routes), helicopter taxi service and developing the Srinagar Airport as an international hub of air traffic in order to connect and attract tourists from gulf countries.” 
“The highest number of passengers this Airport has handled is nearly 700,000 in 1988. Old timers remember the chaotic conditions of passing through this airport, delayed flights, extra flights and the congestion on the road due to heavy traffic on the Airport road,” the report states. 
The report recommends that Ministry of Civil Aviation, supported by the JK government and the Ministry of Tourism, “begin placing on ground, the planned expansion facility for Srinagar airport without waiting for the first rush of passengers which would otherwise immediately lead to bad publicity and harassment of passengers.” 
The reports states that “however no expenditure is identified in extending the airstrip to received wide-bodied jumbo jet aircrafts”. “What is required has already been planned as new holding areas to handle simultaneously at least two airbus vehicles, additional checking counters for officials and additional expected airlines, luggage holding areas, passenger vehicle parking base, reception areas etc,” the reports adds. 
The report also recommends the “existing arrangements of airport security need a total review, and against the current hostile presence of security staff at the airport, a more unobtrusive and quick handling security system should be put on ground”. The Airport is under the direct operational control of the Indian Air Force. 
The control of air traffic and the landing strip including the facilities of fire-fighting and crash activities, is with the IAF while the terminal building, where the passengers check-in, is taken care of by the Airports Authority of India.  The AAI also controls the apron area (where an aircraft is parked), but the airspace control is with the IAF. 
The recommendations of the report become more significant as the same report has projected that tourism sector will provide employment to around 34 lakh youth in Jammu and Kashmir by 2020. The report mentions that employment avenues generated in the sector will witness manifold increase by 2020 due to growing influx of backpackers visiting the Himalayan state. The reports states: “It is estimated that by 2020, tourist arrival to J&K would cross 2.5 crore per annum and generate direct employment for 5.7 lakh people and indirect employment to 23.38 lakh,” it states. 

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