Udhampur Airport Operationalisation Finalised, Kishtwar Being Included In ‘UDAN’: Dr Jitendra

NEW DELHI, Oct 4 : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology; Earth Sciences and Minister of State for PMO, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh today disclosed that Udhampur airport operationalisation has been finalised while the proposed Kishtwar airport is being included in the “UDAN” scheme.
The Minister was taking a review of the aviation plans for Jammu & Kashmir , underlining their importance for improving regional connectivity and providing affordable travel options to local residents as well from the point of view of security.
At the meeting attended by Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Samir Kumar Sinha and the Chairman of Airports Authority of India, Vipin Kumar, Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed the status of the aviation projects for J&K and called for fast-tracking the necessary approvals and technical work.
The Union Minister was briefed that the Udhampur airport could initially begin operations with ATR 72-seater aircraft under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS-UDAN), which would cap ticket fares at nearly half the prevailing market rates.
In other words, the air fare for a Delhi- Udhampur flight will be considerably and substantially lesser than a Delhi- Jammu flight , thus offering a huge incentive to even Jammu bound passengers to take the Delhi-Udhampur air route , the officials explained.
Officials explained that under the UDAN scheme, a substantial part of the airfare will be subsidised through viability gap funding. This would not only make flights more affordable but also bring Delhi–Udhampur fares substantially lower than the Delhi–Jammu route.
Dr. Jitendra Singh noted this would be a major relief for students and young professionals, who often face steep travel costs.
The Airports Authority of India has agreed to take up the required development, including navigational and basic facilities, without requiring additional land for initial operations, as the apron space will be made available by defence authorities. The first phase of operations is expected to take around six months.
Simultaneously, the Govt of J&K has been approached for transfer of additional land for construction of a new terminal, in order to enable bigger and other categories of air flights also to operate from the Udhampur airport.
On Kishtwar, it was noted that earlier attempts to develop the airstrip faced hurdles due to land acquisition issues. Fresh feasibility and land assessment studies are now being initiated to develop the airport under UDAN scheme. Referring to Kishtwar as an “Aspirational Agricultural District”, it was highlighted that an airport there would boost the region’s economy, particularly the agricultural economy by helping local saffron cultivators and farmers reach wider markets.
The Minister said, he would personally take up the matter of land requisition, wherever required, with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Jammu & Kashmir. He also proposed convening a coordination meeting with the Divisional Commissioner and AAI officials to move the projects forward.