The announcement made by the Minister for Ladakh Affairs in a public rally that the Union Ministry of Aviation had conceded a long standing demand of the people of Kargil that regular air service to Kargil would be introduced soon, has been received with great applause by the people of the town. The region remains snow-locked for more than six months in a year and connection with the world outside remains suspended. While air service to Leh had been introduced decades ago, Kargil was less fortunate.
The importance of Kargil received sudden spurt owing to the Kargil war of 1999. After the war, gradually Kargil’s strategic importance came to be understood objectively. However, the question of air connectivity remained in limbo all these years. Now that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has decided to introduce the service, it is a moment of joy ad pride for the people of Kargil region. Obviously, once the air service starts, these will connect Kargil with Srinagar and Jammu the two capital cities of the State and the capital of the country New Delhi. Actually, air connectivity is part of the massive connectivity programme of entire region of Ladakh with the rest of the country. Big connectivity projects are in hand like the two tunnels at Gagangir and Zojila, connectivity between Kargil and Zanskar and the Manali tunnel for connectivity with Ladakh. Once these projects are completed, entire economy, life style and social environment of the people of entire Ladakh region will meet sea change. We share the happiness of the people of Kargil and wish them well once air connectivity is established. Now they will not have to be worried when in emergency they have to shift their ailing persons for treatment either to Srinagar, Jammu and Delhi. Air service will be a boon for the student community of Kargil. More and more students are going out of the distant town and seeking admission in various professional and technical institutes in the country. They will be the most benefited segment of Kargil population.
However before concluding, a word must be said in support of student community of Kargil. Aviation Ministry should also take into account that the students coming from far off and distant region of Leh and Kargil to various educational institutes are not the ward of affluent people. They come from poor and ordinary families. As such they deserve concession in their air tickets at least once in a year.
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