Civil aviation-AAI team visits proposed airport site at Kishtwar

Jammu, Oct 29: A five-member high level special team from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Wednesday conducted a ground assessment in Kishtwar to work on the proposal to develop an airport under UDAN scheme.

On return to Delhi, the team will submit its report to the higher authorities, following which, further road map will be charted out accordingly.

Sharing visuals of the team visiting the site in Kishtwar, the Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh on the social media described the exercise as “a major step towards enhancing regional connectivity and development in this remote region.”

Earlier, the Union Minister had shared the information about the visit of this special team in his post on ‘X’ on October 27.

“A 5-member high-level Special team deputed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India and Airport Authority of India (AAI) will reach Kishtwar tomorrow, on a two-day visit to evaluate the status of the proposal for developing airport at Kishtwar under UDAN scheme,” he had posted.

For the initiative, the Union Minister had credited the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his special focus on the progress of far-flung regions.

“As a result of PM Sh @NarendraModi’s special priority for far-flung regions, it is gratifying that each of our requests and initiatives for the development of the remote areas has always received a positive response,” Dr Jitendra posted.

Earlier in August this year, his (Dr Jitendra’s) efforts became instrumental in getting an airport for Kishtwar included in the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme plan, aimed at enhancing air connectivity in the far-flung hill region.

On October 4, Dr Jitendra disclosed the proposed Kishtwar airport was included in the “UDAN” scheme.

At the meeting attended by Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha and the chairman of Airports Authority of India, Vipin Kumar, Dr Jitendra, while reviewing the status of the aviation projects for J&K, had called for fast-tracking the necessary approvals and technical work.

Earlier attempts, according to Dr Jitendra, to develop the airstrip in Kishtwar faced hurdles due to land beyond army possession that required acquisition, potentially costing crores of rupees. “Fresh feasibility and land assessment studies are now being initiated to find a workable solution,” he said.

Referring to Kishtwar as an “aspirational agricultural district”, Dr Jitendra had highlighted that an airport there would boost the region’s economy, particularly the agricultural economy by helping local saffron cultivators and farmers reach wider markets.

The Minister had said that he would personally take up the matter of land requisition, wherever required, with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.