TASK Welcomes Withdrawal of Srinagar Airport Weekly Runway Closure Plan
Srinagar, July 4, KNT: The Travel Agents Society of Kashmir (TASK) on Saturday welcomed the decision of the Srinagar International Airport authorities to withdraw the proposed weekly runway closure, describing it as a timely intervention that has safeguarded the interests of Jammu and Kashmir’s tourism and business sectors.
TASK President Waseem Ahmad Goosani and Secretary General Maqsood Ahmad Badyari said the decision had averted serious economic and social repercussions that could have affected tourism, trade, horticulture, healthcare and other sectors dependent on uninterrupted air connectivity.
They said the travel trade body had immediately taken up the matter with the Government of India and the Jammu and Kashmir Government after stakeholders expressed concern over the proposed runway closure and its likely impact on the Valley’s economy.
Read: LG Clears Reopening of 14 Tourist Destinations Across J&K, TASK Welcomes Decision
The office bearers expressed gratitude to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for responding positively to the concerns raised by stakeholders and for ensuring that uninterrupted flight operations continue at Srinagar Airport.
Goosani also thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for personally taking up the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu, which, he said, contributed to the resolution of the issue.
TASK also appreciated the Srinagar International Airport authorities for reviewing the proposal, withdrawing the earlier NOTAM relating to the weekly runway closure and deciding to continue the essential runway maintenance works during night hours without disrupting regular daytime flight operations.
The travel trade body expressed hope that uninterrupted air connectivity would continue to support the tourism industry and facilitate the smooth movement of visitors, pilgrims and business travellers to and from Kashmir. [KNT]
© Kashmir News Trust (KNT). Unauthorized use without attribution is prohibited.
