Udhampur airport proposal to be implemented in 2 phases: Dr Jitendra
Jammu, Aug 3: Union Minister of State in PMO Dr Jitendra Singh has revealed that Udhampur airport proposal is to be implemented in two phases.
In the first phase, civil flight operations will be initiated within the existing premises of the Air Force Station (AFS) while in the second phase, a permanent civil enclave will be set up outside it (AFS).
According to him, the efforts to commence civil flight operations from the Udhampur Air Force Station in Jammu and Kashmir have now taken a significant step forward, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) completing a site feasibility assessment and initiating formal processes for the development of a new Aviation Enclave.
The Union Minister has stated this following a series of meetings he has held over the last two days with Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu; Union Secretary Civil Aviation Samir K Sinha and members of the Airport Authority of India.
This marks the second major civil aviation initiative in the region attributed to Dr Jitendra Singh’s tenure as MP.
Earlier, his efforts were 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.
Dr Jitendra, who is also the Member of Parliament from the Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency, has also discussed the issue with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and has officially written to him. CM’s response on this account has also been received. Besides, he (Dr Jitendra) has also taken the concerned Indian Air Force authorities on board.
The proposal, which aims to connect Udhampur to the national civil aviation network, was initially triggered by a reference from Dr Jitendra Singh to the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Acting on this, a technical team comprising officials from various directorates of AAI visited the Air Force Station at Udhampur on March 28 and 29, 2025. The visit included a joint review with the Indian Air Force, evaluation of existing infrastructure, and consultations with the district administration and defence authorities.
In a phased plan now under consideration, phase 1 of the project involves initiating civil flight operations within the existing premises of the Air Force Station. The Indian Air Force has, in principle, agreed to allocate 2,200 square metres for developing a terminal building, which will have the capacity to handle up to 150 passengers and accommodate ATR-72 or Q400 type aircraft. This arrangement is intended as an interim measure to begin operations at the earliest.
Phase 2 of the plan proposes the establishment of a permanent civil enclave outside the boundaries of the Air Force Station. A land parcel of approximately 27.6 acres has been identified by the district administration for this purpose.
The proposed enclave will cater to larger aircraft such as the Airbus A321 and will include a new terminal, apron, taxiway, and related civil aviation infrastructure.
Following the site visit, Dr Jitendra Singh formally reached out to the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, requesting support for land transfer and administrative facilitation.
The Airports Authority of India has subsequently forwarded a request to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, seeking its intervention in obtaining the identified land parcel free of cost and free from encumbrances, as per the provisions of the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016.
Dr Jitendra has informed that he has also spoken to the Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and held a detailed discussion with the Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, underlining the strategic importance of the project for the region. “These high-level engagements have helped expedite the inter-ministerial coordination required for moving the proposal forward,” the Union Minister has said.
If realised, the Udhampur Civil Enclave is expected to improve connectivity for both residents and tourists in this part of Jammu and Kashmir, while also easing pressure on the Jammu airport. Besides, Udhampur airport will also have strategic importance from a security point of view.
