New Delhi, Jun 12 (KNO): Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has separately met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu in New Delhi and raised concerns over the proposed closure of Srinagar International Airport from October 1 to 16, 2026, scheduled under Phase III of the runway resurfacing project.
During the meetings, the CM underscored the importance of maintaining uninterrupted air connectivity to J&K, particularly during the peak autumn tourism season when the Valley attracts a large number of visitors from across the country.
While acknowledging that the resurfacing works are essential for operational safety and fully respecting the operational assessment of the Indian Air Force, CM Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the timing of the final phase of the project, which coincides with one of the busiest periods for the tourism sector.
The CM informed the Union Ministers that air services to the Valley have already been curtailed since April owing to the earlier phases of the resurfacing programme.
He noted that a complete suspension of flights during the first half of October would adversely affect tourism, hospitality, transport, handicrafts and allied sectors that sustain thousands of livelihoods across J&K.
Highlighting the broader economic implications, CM Omar Abdullah said the proposed closure could lead to large-scale travel disruptions and cancellations, causing inconvenience to residents and visitors alike while impacting business activity during a crucial tourism season.
In his meeting with the Defence Minister, the CM requested that the Indian Air Force examine the possibility of shortening or phasing the final stage of the runway works without compromising safety or operational requirements.
He requested that, in the event a complete closure of Srinagar Airport becomes unavoidable, minimal civil flight operations, commensurate with the operational capacity of the Awantipora Air Base, may be permitted from the air base during the closure period to ensure essential air connectivity for the region.
Recalling his earlier tenure as CM, Omar Abdullah noted that during the runway resurfacing works in September 2010, civil flights had successfully operated from Awantipora under a coordinated arrangement involving the Ministries of Defence and Civil Aviation.
“We are working on possible alternatives to minimise the disruption and maintain a basic flight schedule as was done in the past when the airport closed for similar reasons in 1998 & 2010,” the CM said.
During his meeting with the Union Civil Aviation Minister, the CM sought intervention to facilitate discussions with the Ministry of Defence on reviewing the timing of Phase III, including the possibility of shortening, phasing or shifting the closure to a leaner travel window without compromising safety requirements.
He also requested that contingency arrangements be explored in coordination with the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Air Force to ensure continued air connectivity to the Valley in the event the closure remains unavoidable.
The CM emphasised that any alternative operational arrangement would require extensive inter-agency coordination and advance planning, and therefore needed to be initiated well ahead of the scheduled closure period.
On Thursday, CM Omar Abdullah also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and urged immediately restoration of statehoood to Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)