Omar Abdullah Seeks Awantipora Airport as Alternative During Srinagar Runway Closure
Srinagar, July 4, KNT: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday welcomed the decision of the airport authorities to withdraw the proposed full-day runway closures at Srinagar Airport, saying he had personally taken up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu.
Talking to reporters, Omar Abdullah said the revised arrangement would minimize inconvenience to air travellers. However, he urged the Centre to make Awantipora Airport available as an alternative when Srinagar Airport is scheduled to undergo complete closure in October for runway maintenance.
“I welcome the decision of the airport authorities. I had taken up the matter with the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and the Civil Aviation Minister. But when Srinagar Airport is completely closed in October, Awantipora Airport should be made available as an alternative,” he said.
Referring to the ongoing Amarnath Yatra, the Chief Minister said it would benefit the local economy if pilgrims were allowed to spend time in Kashmir’s markets instead of travelling directly between designated locations.
“It is good if yatris spend part of their budget in Kashmir. Unfortunately, they are not being allowed to visit the markets. They come and go in vehicles and hardly venture outside. They are being kept confined to a fixed movement,” Omar Abdullah said.
On India-Pakistan relations, the Chief Minister reiterated his support for dialogue, saying the vision of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was based on engagement and cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
“Vajpayee’s vision was always that India and Pakistan should work in close cooperation. Neighbours cannot be changed,” he said.
Commenting on the recent peace appeal signed by him and National Conference president Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah said public attention often focuses on such initiatives while overlooking similar positions taken by others.
“When Farooq Sahib or I sign a petition advocating dialogue between India and Pakistan, it becomes headline news. But nobody questions those in the RSS who have also supported dialogue between the two countries,” he remarked. [KNT]
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