Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 6: Indian Air Force (IAF) will start operation of AN-32 Courier Service to Kargil from November 26 and remain operational during the winter season after closure of the surface link – the Srinagar-Kargil-Leh National Highway.
Minister for Transport and Consumers Affairs and Public Distribution (CA&PD), Qamar Ali Akhoon informed this while chairing a high level meeting of the officers of Civil Administration, Air Force (AF), Airport Authority of India (AAI) Civil Aviation, Police, Transport and other Security agencies, here today.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Dr Asgar Samoon, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pradeep Gupta, Commissioner, Civil Aviation Department JK S. Katoch, Secretary, CA&PD and Transport, Muhammad Abbas Dar, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Sanjeev Verma, Deputy Commissioner, Kargil M. Raju, SSP Airport Jammu Ashok Sharma, Managing Director, JKSRTC, J. S. Tondon, representative of AOC, HQ, Udhampur, Station Commander Air Force Station, Jammu and Chief Operation Officer, Jammu attended the meeting
After discussing threadbare the pros and cons for smooth operation of the service, the meeting was informed that AN-32 Courier Service shall operate from Srinagar to Kargil and back thrice in a week on every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, while as it will be operated from Jammu to Kargil and back once in a week on every Tuesday.
The meeting appreciated the commendable job of the IAF for providing air-link service to the far-flung areas of the State from the capital cities during the winter season. “The IAF is not only doing a yeoman’s job in providing air services to the people, but it also provides every assistance, along with Army and other security forces, at the time of any eventuality in the snow bound border areas of the State” the meeting observed.
It was decided in the meeting that in case of cancellation any sortie due to bad weather, it will be operated on next day and if the sorties are cancelled for a long time, the back log passengers shall be air lifted to Leh where from they will travel to their respective destinations.
The Deputy Commissioners were asked to nominate Liaison Officers at Jammu, Srinagar and Kargil, who can be contacted by the people for booking of tickets and other related matters.
The meeting was informed that normal facilities during their stay in the Srinagar and Jammu, including additional security personnel and transportation to airport shall be provided by the local administration.
The Minister asked the concerned departments to maintain close coordination for sooth operation of the much needed service to the border district during the harsh winter season.
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