Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 25: Activists of Dogra Front & Shiv Sena (DF&SS) here today under the leadership of their president, Ashok Gupta staged a protest demonstration demanding the project of International Airport in Samba to be started again.
Addressing protesters Gupta quoted reports to say that the airport project has been shelved and that land would be transferred to the Department of Industry and Commerce.
“The decision has come as a shock to people of Jammu region who over the years were demanding International Airport at Jammu on the pattern of that of Kashmir valley,” he said adding that the land selected for airport at Samba was the most strategic from every point of view and it touches four districts-Jammu, Samba, Kathua and Udhampur.
The Shiv Sena leader said that airport at the proposed site would have changed the socio-economic conditions of people of the area.
“Also the proposed airport site is surrounded by historical shrines of Purmandal and Utterbehni in south-west and Devi Bhagti temple and Dora temple of Manwal on north east-side while Mohargarh Fort, Mansar lake and Surinsar lake in the eastern side,” he maintained adding that the proposed airport will also facilitate pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
He appealed J&K LG to start the project so that tourism in Jammu can take a flight.
Birbal, Sushil, Rajinder, Ghara, Akshay, Ram, Vikas, Abhishek and others were also present in the protest.
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