Big aircraft to land in Jammu, Srinagar

Upgrade at over Rs 162 crore, says AAI.

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) is spending Rs 272 crore on the modernisation and expansion of airports in the northern region. Of this, the upgrade of Jammu airport will take place at over Rs 52 crore.

While work on the modernisation of Srinagar airport is proceeding well, increasing the length of the air-strip in Jammu and creating space for aircraft parking (bay) will start shortly.

Airport Authority of India Chairman K Ramalingam, who was here today on his way to the Mata Vaishnodevi shrine, told Business Standard the upgrade of Jammu airport to facilitate the landing of big aircraft like those of Boeing and Airbus would be taken up shortly.

The airstrip in Jammu, which is 6,700 feet in length, would be increased to 8,000, he added.

"A project worth Rs 40 crore has been okayed for expansion a few years ago but work got delayed for want of land. The cost of construction has now escalated and some more additions are being made keeping in view the high rate of growth and inflow of passengers to this domestic airport as a large number of tourists and Mata Vaishondevi and Shri Amar Nathji pilgrims visit the state," Ramalingam said.

The airport is operating at least 55 flights a week and two more airlines, Kingfisher and Indigo, are commencing operations shortly. In order to accommodate more flights simultaneously, three more parking bays will be created, besides providing aero-bridge facilities at Jammu airport.

Two aero-bridges are also being built at the airport terminal. Jammu airport can accommodate at least 250 passengers but at present it is managing 350-400 passengers. This airport is being developed to handle at least 400 arrivals and 400 departures.

Regional Director (AAI Delhi) A Murugeshan, who was accompanying the chairman, said the AAI was managing 36 airports in the northern region. Murugeshan said to develop Jammu airport, acquiring land had been taken up with the defence authorities by the divisional commissioner, Jammu. The Indian Air Force authorities have to giving land in principle.

On the expansion of Srinagar airport and making it fit to operate international flights, Rs 110 crore is being spent, according to Murugeshan. More than 50 per cent of the funds have been utilised so far.

The expansion of Leh and Shimla airports is also being taken up so that these airports can accommodate at least 150 passengers. Leh airport at present can accommodate hardly 75 passengers.

Airport Authority (Jammu) Director G Chandramouli said Jammu airport had recorded a significant growth rate of 40-45 per cent in the past two years, in comparison with the country's average of 20-25 per cent.

Jammu airport has been adjudged the best managed in the country and was given the ISO 9001-2000 certificate by an international agency.