At last the knotted issue of expansion of Jammu airstrip seems to be heading towards final unraveling. The issue had been hanging fire for many years perhaps because either there was lack of understanding of serious strategic imperatives of the plan or that the bureaucratic bottlenecks hindered forward move in normal course of things. In these columns we, more than once, tried to invite the attention of authorities to the strategic and economic importance of extension plan. Media reports say that the Ministry of Defence has taken positive as well as prompt to take a decision on the issue. This has happened in response to the letter of the State Chief Secretary to the Ministry of Defence. A high power meeting was called by the Defence Ministry with participation from all stakeholders including those from Union Ministries and the Airport Authority of India.
Two main issues were the stumbling block in finding a solution to the stalemate. Despite the fact that the State was prepared to provide land at Sunjwan to the Army in lieu of the land which the Army would be handing over to the State for the expansion of the airstrip, matters did not move forward. Two issues bedeviled final solution of the issue. These were (a) reconstruction of utilities on the alternate stretch of land, and (b) re-alignment of 132 KV electricity transmission line. There are certain mandatory rules that at least three kilometer distance needs to be maintained between the electric line and the air strip. Technicalities were involved in this case. The Army demanded that the State Government reconstruct utilities at its cost because the army had already made investment at the proposed alternate site adjoining the airstrip.
The good news is that in the high power meeting organized by Defence Ministry agreement has been reached at, and these two vital issues have been resolved. It is expected that within a few days necessary instructions will be conveyed to the concerned to start implementation of the project. At present Jammu airstrip has the length of 1300 feet which will be 6700 feet after extension is completed. Enhanced length of the airstrip will facilitate landing and taking off of airplanes with capacity load and passengers. Owing to existing short length of the airstrip bigger planes cannot land at Jammu.
Jammu has developed fast and the process continues. There is enhanced economic as well as political activity that demands quick communication and transportation. Jammu is emerging as economic hub of the State. Influx of huge number of pilgrims both to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi and the holy cave of Amarnath in Kashmir have brought pressure on road traffic. Many pilgrims would like to take the flight to Jammu as first leg of their pilgrimage and from Jammu proceed to their respective destinations. Landing of bigger planes with larger carriage capacity is one of the ways to cope with the traffic rush to Jammu.
Apart from all this, we are aware that in given circumstances strategic importance of Jammu in terms of security of our northern frontiers has increased manifold. There is good deal of military road traffic across the State. It certainly needs complimentary support from air traffic. Extended airstrip will meet that requirement also. We would even say that Jammu should have airport of international level so that it leads to increase in tourist flow to Jammu and its tourist spots in extensive Pir Panchal range. If we are asking for developing tourist sports in Jammu region, and we have strong justification to do so, we should also ask for international airport at Jammu. Many foreign and local tourists would like to fly to Jammu and then proceed to new tourist spots in Rajouri, Reasi and Bhaderwah districts. These schemes are helpful in opening new employment avenue to the unemployed youth of the State.
Now that all hurdles have been surmounted and work on extended airstrip will begin soon, we would like to entreat the Government to address the connectivity issue also. Usually, airports are excellently connected with city centers by well organized transport system. The fact is although the airport is located by the side of well maintained road linking Jammu with Chatha and Miran Sahib, yet public transport system for the airport is in a mess, and causes much harassment to air passengers returning home or to destinations. Transport department should provide exclusive bus service between city centre and the airport. These shall have to be comfortable and commodious modern buses not the ones that are plying on the link road at present.
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