Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 12: Union Minister of State, Civil Aviation, Mahesh Sharma, today cautioned that the Jammu Airport was waiting for a “catastrophe” due to the size of its airstrip which was far less than the set standard.
“The only domestic airport in Jammu region is waiting for a catastrophe to take place,” Sharma said at a function here.
“The standard size of the airstrip is 9,000 feet while in Jammu it is 6,770 feet. If an aircraft with 150 passengers booked to its capacity tries to land here there are every possibility of a crash,” he said.
The Union Minister said that the Jammu airport was not suited for the landing of an aircraft facing an emergency.
“I am told that aircrafts coming here have to leave 25 seats vacant as it is dangerous for a loaded aircraft to land here,” he said.
Sharma said that the Narendra Modi-led Government was committed to fight terrorism in State with tourism.
“The Narendra Modi Government is committed to combat terrorism by tourism, defeat terrorism by tourism, he has set a vision to replace the AK-47 holding hands of the youth with employment,” he said.
Commenting on the importance of pilgrimage tourism in the State, Sharma said that had there been a pilgrimage destination in Aksai Chin, China would not have been able to lay a hand on the territory.
He said Jammu too has a lot of potential for promotion of tourism but it has not received the proper attention so far.
Stressing on up-gradation of Jammu Airport, he said it has to be made of international standard so that more and more tourists are attracted.
Dr Mahesh said that the lakes and other tourist spots in Jammu too need to be exploited for tourism so that more and more youth can get jobs.
He said the rich cultural heritage be looked from tourism point of view and stressed on its preservation. While terming the Lord Rama as the sole of this country, he said the Lord is symbol of great cultural heritage and ethos. He also warned that ecological imbalance is a great threat which needs to be checked.
He said in case people want that J&K should progress and become a prosperous State the need of the hour is installation of a honest and strong government.
His lecture was followed by a question answer session. The prominent citizens participated in question answer session.
The dais was shared by former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, BJP spokesperson, Sunil Sethi, senior Party leaders Chander Mohan Sharma and ex IGP, S S Bijral and Party spokesmam Balbir Ram Rattan.
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