Call for direct civilian flights from Kargil

SRINAGAR: Kargil district authorities have urged the Center to start civil flights, saying connectivity remains severely affected during the winter when ground routes are closed.Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC) chief executive Mohd Jaffar Akhoon and Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa made the demand during a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi on Thursday.“Air traffic will boost tourism and help army personnel immensely. Soldiers will lose three to four days of leave while passing through Leh and waiting to continue operations,” Akon said. He added that the lack of direct flights deterred countless potential tourists.Akhoon stressed that air connectivity is crucial for the region, where people now have to travel five to eight hours by road to reach the nearest airports in Leh and Srinagar.“There is no doubt that the Zojila Tunnel will improve road connectivity, but Kargil still needs a dedicated air link. Small aircraft operate from many parts of the Northeast. Flights from Kargil to New Delhi and Kargil to Srinagar can take off from existing (defense) runways, carrying small aircraft. This can pave the way for comprehensive air connectivity and a full-fledged civil airport,” Akhoon said.In their talks with the Shah, Akon and Hanifa also pushed to speed up the progress of five hydropower projects and sought two new regions in Sanku and Shakar Chiktan. “These are among the most populous and oldest divisions in Kargil and meet all the criteria required for creation of districts,” Akon said.These two districts should be included in the upcoming notification of five new districts to be announced by the Union Home Ministry in August 2024. These are Ladakh, Zanskar and Dras in Kargil and Sham, Nubra and Changtang in Leh.Akhoon and Haneefa are also looking for a 200-bed hospital in Kargil to relieve pressure on existing 100-bed regional facilities, engineering colleges and an agricultural university. Another critical need is the establishment of a dedicated Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) for Kargil to enhance law and order and provide employment opportunities.Akon said Home Minister Shah’s response to the request, including air connectivity, had been “very positive”.