The Hindu : National : Srinagar airport will be ready by the end of July: Yechury

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Srinagar airport will be ready by the end of July: Yechury

Shujaat Bukhari

Sitaram Yechury

SRINAGAR: Modernisation work is on at a fast pace at the Srinagar airport, which is being upgraded to international status and it will be ready for inauguration by the end of July, CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said here on Tuesday.

Mr. Yechury, who is heading a 14-member parliamentary delegation currently on a week-long visit to the State, told a press conference here that Kashmir had tremendous tourism potential. He stressed the strong linkage between various regions and locations in order to boost the State’s tourism potential. Modernisation of airports in the State would be a significant addition in the process.

“Airports Authority of India officials have told me that the Srinagar airport, which is being upgraded to international status, will be ready by the end of July,” he said adding “after that the way for international flights coming to Kashmir will be open.”

To a question on poor air linkage between Leh and Srinagar, he said he was seized of the matter. “Kashmir Valley has so many unexploited places and the government should take steps to do the needful,” he said adding that the Parliamentary Committee would submit its recommendations to Parliament before the coming session. Mr. Yechury said it was also making recommendations for improving road connectivity.

He admitted that problems still existed on ground but “the way we have seen the flow of tourists visiting Kashmir, I think it is encouraging.”

He said the committee would recommend to the government to have a relook at the pattern of allocation of funds for Jammu and Kashmir. “This is important because of the inclement weather which has its own impact on the completion of projects,” he said.

Mr. Yechury said the Archaeological Survey of India, which was missing in Srinagar, should have three regional offices in Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu to help the government explore historical sites for tourism purposes.

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