Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 27: Despite growing demands for better air connectivity in Kargil, the Government of India has yet to take concrete steps toward establishing a fully functional civil airport in Kargil region of Ladakh.
Responding to a query of the Member Parliament Haji Mohmad Haneefa Jan in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State (MoS) for Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, stated that no fresh feasibility study has been sought by Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh for the construction of a new civil airport in Kargil.
This revelation comes even as locals and strategic experts continue to stress the need for a reliable air network in the high-altitude region, which faces extreme weather conditions and road blockages during winter.
The Minister recalled that a 2021 survey by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Indian Air Force, and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had examined multiple locations-including Wakha, Kargil, Turtuk, Diskit, Nyoma, and Padum/Zanskar-but found none suitable for airport construction.
The MoS also admitted that previous attempts to introduce commercial flights to Kargil have repeatedly failed. He informed the House that during the 2nd round of bidding, under the UDAN, the existing Kargil Airport was identified for development and operation of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) flights. However, the routes connecting Kargil with Srinagar and Jammu, awarded during the 2nd and 3rd rounds of bidding, were subsequently cancelled.
“The cancelled routes were re-invited during the UDAN 4.2 bidding round and awarded to SpiceJet to operate 19-seater aircraft with a weekly frequency of 133 seats. However, these routes were again cancelled due to the airport’s non-readiness. In the ongoing UDAN 5.4 round of bidding, the cancelled routes connecting Kargil with Srinagar and Jammu have been re-invited but no airline has shown interest in operating on these routes,” the Minister replied.
The prolonged inaction raises questions about the Government’s commitment to improving connectivity in Kargil, a strategically sensitive region. With road closures frequently cutting off the district for months, residents and defence personnel continue to face difficulties in travel and logistics.
Unless decisive steps are taken to address the infrastructure gaps and operational bottlenecks, Kargil’s dream of reliable air connectivity will remain unfulfilled.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
