NEW DELHI, Jun 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has urged the Centre to reconsider the proposed closure of Srinagar International Airport from October 1 to 16, 2026, citing its potential impact on tourism, business activity and public convenience during the peak autumn season in Jammu and Kashmir.
During separate meetings with Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi, the Chief Minister raised concerns over the scheduled closure under Phase III of the runway resurfacing project and stressed the need to maintain uninterrupted air connectivity to the Union Territory.
While acknowledging that the resurfacing works are necessary for operational safety and fully respecting the assessment of the Indian Air Force, Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the timing of the final phase, which coincides with one of the busiest periods for the Valley’s tourism industry.
The Chief Minister informed the Union Ministers that air services to Srinagar have already faced disruptions since April due to earlier phases of the runway resurfacing programme. He said a complete suspension of flights during the first half of October could adversely affect tourism, hospitality, transport, handicrafts and several allied sectors that support thousands of livelihoods across Jammu and Kashmir.
Highlighting the broader economic implications, Omar Abdullah said the proposed closure could lead to large-scale travel disruptions and cancellations, causing inconvenience to residents and tourists while affecting business activity during a crucial tourism season.
During his meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, the Chief Minister requested the Indian Air Force to explore the possibility of shortening or phasing the final stage of the runway works without compromising operational safety and requirements.
He also proposed that if a complete closure of Srinagar Airport becomes unavoidable, limited civil flight operations may be permitted from the Awantipora Air Base, subject to operational feasibility, to ensure essential air connectivity for the region during the closure period.
Recalling his previous tenure as Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah pointed out that civil flights had successfully operated from Awantipora during runway resurfacing works in September 2010 through coordinated efforts between the Ministries of Defence and Civil Aviation.
“We are working on possible alternatives to minimise the disruption and maintain a basic flight schedule as was done in the past when the airport closed for similar reasons in 1998 and 2010,” the Chief Minister said.
In his meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, Omar Abdullah sought intervention to facilitate discussions with the Ministry of Defence regarding the timing of Phase III works. He suggested exploring options such as shortening, phasing or shifting the closure to a lean travel period without compromising safety standards.
The Chief Minister also requested that contingency plans be worked out jointly with the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force to ensure continued air connectivity to the Valley if the closure remains unavoidable.
Emphasising the importance of advance planning, Omar Abdullah said any alternative operational arrangement would require extensive inter-agency coordination and timely decision-making well before the scheduled closure period.
The meetings focused on balancing operational safety requirements with the economic and connectivity needs of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly during the peak tourism season.
Recent Comments