Kargil 02 :- Government of India is making all-out efforts to start civilian flight services to Kargil. During the question hour in Parliament, Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri K. Rammohan Naidu, emphasized the importance of this initiative, acknowledging the longstanding demand of Kargil residents who have been seeking regular air services for 50 years.
Despite having a functional airport for 30 years, the Kargil airport has faced challenges due to terrain difficulties and runway limitations. The Minister stated that only 19-seater aircraft can be operated from the existing airport, considering the current infrastructure and operational protocols. Efforts are underway with various airlines to initiate these services under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, aimed at improving regional air connectivity. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has sanctioned Rs 9.2 crore for the Kargil airport, with some electrical works already completed.
The Minister also highlighted that the Government is prepared to undertake any remaining work necessary to enable civilian services, provided airlines express readiness to connect Kargil with Srinagar or Jammu. The commitment to start services at the earliest is a testament to the Government’s dedication to addressing the connectivity issues faced by the people of Kargil.
In a productive meeting with the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation, Shri Rammohan Naidu, MP Ladakh Mohd Haneefa, discussed the urgent need for air connectivity, feasibility surveys for a new airport, and the expansion of the existing airport in Kargil. Haneefa emphasized the severe hardships faced by the residents due to the closure of Zojila Pass for almost five months every winter, which effectively cuts off Kargil.
He highlighted the necessity of extending the airport to accommodate heavy aircraft and starting 50-seater civil aircraft services. The discussions also included rebuilding the airport for both civil and military use to ensure year-round connectivity and support for the region’s development.
In response, Minister Naidu assured that a multi-disciplinary team comprising officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), Indian Air Force (IAF), and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had already visited potential sites in Ladakh in 2021, but found none suitable for new airport construction. Additionally, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was engaged to explore the feasibility of operating Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 aircraft at Kargil airport, concluding that such operations are not feasible with the current airstrip.
Haji Hanifa, MP Ladakh, on his X account, urged swift government action to alleviate the long-standing demands of the Kargil residents.
