Recently, the Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia announced that two air terminals would be established in Jammu and Kashmir to increase the connectivity of the region. This announcement was made by the minister at Harwan Block of the Srinagar district, during an interaction with District Development Council (DDC), Block Development Council (BDC) members, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members.
He further said the progress in the region is under the Special Forces therefore, the focus would be on both air and road connectivity. A major road network including highways, ring roads, tunnels and other projects would be constructed across Jammu.
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While informing about the investment and the planned area, the Minister said that one airport worth Rs 1500 crore would be constructed on 25 thousand square metres in Kashmir, while another airport terminal worth Rs 650 crore would be established in Jammu on 22 thousand square metres of land.
“The first international flight connection from Srinagar to Sharjah (in the United Arad Emirates) will be started soon. Efforts are on so that international travellers come directly to Srinagar. This will be a historic decision, not just for Jammu and Kashmir, but the whole country,” said Union Minister to the reporters.
He further said that from 30th September, 30% load penalty would be removed in the airlines of Jammu airport.
He added, “The construction work of the new cargo complex at Srinagar airport will be completed by October 31. A new premium lounge facility will also be made available at the Srinagar airport.”
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The decision was lauded by the Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor and he said that this would end the long demand of UT to have direct connectivity.
J&K Lt Governor was quoted saying, “Similarly runway at the Jammu Airport has been enhanced and 30% load penalty at Jammu airport will be removed from 1st October. It will bring huge relief to the airlines and passengers. We have also decided to build a new airport terminal adjacent to the existing airport at Jammu. The land measuring 122 acres has already been identified. It will soon be handed over to the Airports Authority of India to build a state-of-the-art 25,000 m2 new terminal building.”