Srinagar: A parliamentary panel has recommended to the Government of India to make serious efforts to modernize the infrastructure facilities at both Srinagar and Jammu airports.
In its report, the department-related parliamentary standing committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has underlined the need for coordinated efforts for providing competitively priced mechanism, adequate and convenient transport, advanced infrastructure facilities and tourist safety to cater to the needs of domestic and foreign tourists arriving in the region.
The panel, in its report, expressed dismay over “regular delay and cancellation” of flights at Srinagar airport due to non-availability of CAT-II or CAT-III facility.
According to the report, some members of the parliamentary panel faced a harrowing experience during their recent visit to Kashmir as they were stranded at the Srinagar airport due to cancellation of flights amidst adverse foggy conditions.
“Availability of CAT-II or CAT-III landing facility at the Srinagar airport could have facilitated the landing of aircrafts in those circumstances,” the report states.
The committee recommended to the Civil Aviation ministry to impress upon IAF to install the facility at the earliest.
According to the panel, IAF should cull out those activities related to navigation and landing facilities which are in the domain knowledge of Airport Authority of India for civil operations.
“Domestic civil aviation safety is the primary responsibility of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA and AAI. The utilization of these navigational aids/approach landing systems/equipment etc., which have been installed across the country, is primarily done by the AAI, which has domain knowledge. They are also familiar with the quality procurement processes, maintenance and operational requirements of these instruments which they have been using for Civil operations for over 50 years,” reads the report.
Spread over 67 acres, the Srinagar Airport is jointly operated by Indian Air Force(IAF) and Airport Authority of India(AAI).
AAI maintains a civil enclave at Srinagar airport, while airfield installations/airside operations at the airport are maintained by Indian Air Force (IAF).
It is pertinent to mention that the panel headed by Rajya Sabha MP from Andhra Pradesh T G Venkatesh undertook a study visit of Srinagar and Gulmarg from January 21 to 23.
