Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 23: A delegation of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its Chairman Vikrant Kuthiala along with other members met Vijay Kumar, Advisor to Governor here today.
Kuthiala briefed Advisor on issues and for their early resolution as related to Civil Aviation. He said that Jammu airport is scheduled for a shut down from the 1st to 15th of October this year and once more for 15 days in March or April next year; and this will adversely affect all sectors of the region’s economy. He requested to minimize the economic impact on the region, instead of cancelling all flights they should be diverted to Udhampur airbase.
He requested that the viability of operating flights to Rajouri, Kishtwar, Kargil, Thoise and some other destinations be examined under the UDAAN scheme in conjunction with private airlines. Operation of flights to any of these destinations would open up these areas to tourism and economic development. He also requested that the night flights must be started from Jammu airport at the earliest. He also mentioned that Jammu Airport continues to be the only Airport in the country with no facility for visitors for either drop off or receiving passengers. He requested that it should be at par with airports in Srinagar, Delhi, Mumbai etc where taxi drops a passenger right upto the arrival/ departure lounge.
The Chamber requests for beautification of all Canal’s in Jammu particularly Ranbir Canal and Ravi Tawi Lift Irrigation Canal. The Ranbir Canal is a virtual Garbage dump and Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) and the Irrigation department needs to be directed to clean and maintain embankments and sides of the Canal. He mentioned that due to widening of Jammu -Akhnoor road the walk ways and greenery along with Canal is substantially reduced. He highlighted that the Government has in its possession a land area of 300-400 Kanals near Bhagwati Nagar, the Government should develop a World class Green Park there which should have facilities like Children Playing park, Water Bodies with musical fountains, area for Yogas and Camps, dedicated walking track, JAMMU HAAT on the lines of highly successful DELHI HAAT near AIIMS.
Rahul Sahai suggests that reforestation be declared a priority sector and wastelands be put to use under PPP mode for cultivation of minor forest products. Areas to be given out to the private sector for reforestation at their cost and risk. As and when the timber from such areas is sold a fixed percentage be paid to the private investor. Harbinder Singh requested procurement related to Pharma sector, purchase preference should be given to local manufacturing industry under public procurement policy.
Ajay Gandotra, Sanjay Gupta, Darshan Lal, Ajay Jagotra, Siddhanth Chowdhary, Vivek Bhardwaj and Aditya Vaid also accompanied.
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