Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: Expressing grave concern over the extremely hazardous situation prevailing in the Jammu Airport threatening the safety of passengers and aircrafts, Harshdev Singh, Chairman JKNPP and former Minister today demanded de-silting, repair and renovation of the nullah on war footing and monitoring of work personally by the Deputy Commissioner Jammu.
In a statement, Mr Singh said that Government has not only neglected long pending extension of the existing runway at the Jammu Airport from 6700 feet to 8000 feet but also displayed criminal negligence in ensuring proper maintenance of the airport thus putting the very lives of passengers to jeopardy.
Inviting the attention of the concerned authorities towards the complaint of Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Jammu, who has expressed apprehensions of a serious threat to the safety of aircrafts and passengers in view of shabby plight of airport, Mr Singh demanded action on war footing for de-silting, repair and renovation of the nullah.
He regretted that the much awaited expansion of Jammu Airport seemed to have gone in a limbo despite Rs 70 crore having been sanctioned for the project in 2011. He said that in view of repeated concerns expressed in respect of the short and rough Jammu runway and allied resultant threats, the Government had embarked upon an expansion plan envisaging increase in runway length, passenger holding capacity from 200 to 700 and expansion of airport building and its premises.
He said that much needed project has been consigned into the cold storage, adding with no civil vehicles allowed to enter, the incoming and outgoing passengers have to face a lot of inconvenience.
Pointing towards the Srinagar Airport which has received focused attention of successive Governments with its upgradation as an international airport by introducing Haj flights also, Mr Singh deplored the raw deal given to Jammu Airport besides leaving the Jammu passengers at the mercy of Almighty. He said even the small station airport near Kullu in Himachal Pradesh has better ambiance and capacity than Jammu Airport.
Making out a strong case for upgradation of Jammu Airport on the analogy of Srinagar Airport, Mr Singh said that 1.20 crore pilgrims visit Mata Vaishino Devi Shrine every year besides huge rush of other pilgrims and tourists which could further escalate if air traffic facilities are improved.
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