An official spokesman said here today Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday chaired a meeting to discuss and finalise the Draft State Perspective Civil Aviation Plan for development of the Aviation infrastructure in a planned and phased manner across Jammu and Kashmir.
In view of the pressing need to develop airports, helipads and Heliports across the State due to ever increasing tourism and pilgrim rush and to provide air connectivity to remote and in-accessible areas, detailed deliberations were held regarding future expansion and upgradation of major Airports at Srinagar, Jammu, Leh and Kargil, besides proposed development of several small Airports in Kishtwar, Rajouri, Surankote, Gurez, Padam-Zanaskar and in other adjoining areas of Srinagar and Jammu.
To promote pilgrim and adventure tourism the plan also envisages development of several helipad and heliport sites at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Kokernag, Sonamarg (Neelgrat), Dodh Pathri, Patnitop, Mantalai, Shiv Khori, Bhaderwah, Doda, Bani Gulabagarh (Mahore), Karnah, Tangdar, Machail, Keran, Drass, Neeru, Baruab and Tulail.
(Free Press Kashmir)
