Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 4: Once again the Civil Aviation Ministry of the State Government, headed by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, was found wanting in obtaining timely permission of the Defence Ministry leading to suspension of private airline service between Leh and Zanskar in Ladakh region.
The flight operations between two mountainous regions of Leh and Zanskar were suspended on May 1 as the Defence Ministry permission had expired on April 30.
The State Government today approached Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh as flights remained suspended for last four days, a result of which more than 250 passengers were stranded at Leh and Zanskar.
Dr Jitendra Singh immediately took up the matter with Minister of State for Defence Suresh Bhamre and sought immediate extension of permission for resumption of Leh-Zanskar flights.
After hectic efforts throughout the day, Dr Jitendra Singh managed to get the permission extended tonight and Leh-Zanskar flights were now expected to resume tomorrow subject to fair weather condition.
Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Bharat Khera this evening issued the order granting permission to the private airliners to operate between Leh and Zanskar after four days.
Sources pointed out that the extension of the permission by the Defence Ministry should have been applied at least a month in advance but none in the State Government bothered to do so till the permission expired and flights were suspended.
Few days back, a similar situation had arisen on Katra-Sanjichat track and again the Government had to approach Dr Jitendra Singh. The flights between Katra and Sanji Chat had remained suspended for a day.
Sources said BJP organizing secretary, Ashok Koul, who was also in Leh, was briefed by the people on the difficulties faced by them due to suspension of flights between Leh and Zanskar.
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