Centre approves Kishtwar Airport

JAMMU: In a major development, the Central government on Tuesday has given its nod to establishment of a full-fledged Airport facility in Kishtwar district,
The Airport, having provision for Aircraft landing and taking off, will come up adjacent to the Chaugan ground and will be used jointly by the civilian authorities as well as the Indian Army.
In this regard, the state government is expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Defence authorities wherein an Airstrip will be constructed and maintained by State Government.
Besides, the extra piece of land required for construction of this strip will be made available from the land currently under the possession of the Army.
This was informed by the Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, after presiding over a high-level joint meeting of senior officers of J&K State Government and Defence Forces to sort out the nitty-gritties and other related aspects of the issue.
It may be mentioned here that in November 2017, Kishtwar and Kargil districts of Jammu and Kashmir were included among the 24 airports and helipads across the country identified by the centre government for the second phase of the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS).
It was under the RCS, aimed at providing air connectivity to the hinterland to provide an impetus to the economic growth of regional centres, including unconnected towns and cities, on subsidized rates, that the Kishtwar airport got approval on Tuesday.
While the operation of commercial flights is not certain, at least in the very near future, the airport will facilitate the landing of State Aircrafts, Chartered aircrafts and operation of emergency flights, thus providing the district with a round-the-year facility for landing and taking off of Aircraft.
The high-level meeting while chaired by MoS in Prime Minister's office, Dr Jitendra Singh, was attended by Union Minister of State for Defense, Dr. Subash Bhamre, Minister of State for Transport, Sunil Kumar Sharma, Joint Secretary Defense, Chief Secretary B.B Vyas, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu while Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari and Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Rohit Kansal attended the meeting through video conference.
Dheeraj Gupta Principal Secretary (Coordination) Government of Jammu and Kashmir and Angrez Singh Rana Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar were also present, besides top officials from the Army and Aviation.
In a telephonic message, Sunil Sharma expressed gratitude to the Union Government especially Dr. Jitender Singh for sanctioning of this prestigious project which would prove to be a boon for the people. He said that this project is like a long cherished dream come true.