‘Civilian flights in 6 to 7 months’
Avtar Bhat
UDHAMPUR, Jan 22 : Maintaining that Udhampur is rare town with multiple travel options by air, Vande Bharat and road, Union Minister in PMO, with Independent Charge of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences Ministries, Dr Jitendra Singh today said that during last 12 years of Modi Government focused attention was paid to this region which was neglected by earlier Governments.
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Talking to reporters here, today at the sidelines of a review meeting to develop Udhampur Air Field Station, Dr Jitendra Singh announced that civilian flights will commence with an interim terminal building within the Air Force, Station Udhmpur with existing facilities and interim arrangements in six to seven months.
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The Union Minister said the Udhampur will become rare town having multiple options of travel in the country and it will be linked by air, Vande Bharat and Expressway Corridor from Delhi to Katra.
He said the announcement of Expressway Corridor was made by him during his visit to Katra in 2016 and work on this project is going on fast pace. It will make ease of travel and reduce the journey from Udhampur to New Delhi also.
He said the Vande Bharat train which did not have a stop at Udhampur and on the demand of the people the issue was taken up by him with Railway Ministry and they agreed to the demand. However, starting the air service from Udhampur Air Force Station was his initiative and the same will begin with six to seven months, he added.
He also announced construction of full-fledged terminal at Udhampur saying that the process of acquisition of adjacent land, measuring nearly 28 acres is under process and the same will be developed within three years.
In this regard the UT Government led by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has also assured its full cooperation and support in leasing out the land, he added.
Dr Jitendra said with the start of flights from Udhampur Air Force Station it will not only be ease of travel but people of surrounding areas will also get various facilities.
He said many projects have been taken up in hand under Viksit Bharat and Udhampur Railway Station has been named as Amrit Railway Station and it is one of the few Railway Stations in the country which has been constructed on the pattern of modern facilities.
Dr Jitendra Singh said during last 12 years Udhampur was given a Radio Station, Government Medical College and huge network of roads.
The Minister said Kaladi was given G I Tag and it is being up scaled to develop different foods and additional recipes across the country which will boost the economy of locals.
Dr Jitendra Singh said moreover Lavender cultivation has also been started in Latti and Basantgarh areas of the district which will also boost the local economy of the people.
Earlier Dr Jitendra Singh reviewed the progress of operationalising civilian air services from Udhampur, with authorities of Indian Air Force, Civil Aviation, Airports Authority and administration of J&K. He announced that civilian flights will commence with an interim terminal building within the Air Force Station, Udhampur.
Chairing a high-level review meeting, Dr Jitendra Singh said that close coordination between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is underway to expedite the process. He informed that, with existing facilities and interim arrangements, flight operations are targeted to be operationalised in the next six to seven months.
Simultaneously, the process of acquisition of adjacent land, measuring nearly 28 acre, and construction of a full fledged terminal is being undertaken to develop a full fledged airport within about three years, said Dr Jitendra Singh.
The Minister highlighted that the Chenab region has received focused attention after 2014, with close monitoring by the Prime Minister, reflecting the Government’s initiative for inclusive and regional development.
Dr Jitendra Singh thanked Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for his sustained focus on development and for fulfilling the promise to uplift the downtrodden and remote regions, ensuring multiple connectivity options for the Chenab belt.
The Minister reiterated that a series of proactive meetings led by the Secretary, Civil Aviation have helped fast-track decisions and resolve inter-departmental issues.
Dr Jitendra Singh also shared that a proposal for acquisition of additional land is being pursued, with the support of the Omar Abdullah led UT Government, to enable the development of a full-fledged airport at Udhampur in the coming years. He expressed gratitude to the Indian Air Force for its cooperation and facilitation in enabling civilian operations from the defence airfield.
Highlighting the multiple benefits of enhanced air connectivity, the Minister said the initiative will significantly ease travel and increase socio-economic activity across the entire Chenab region, benefiting four districts in particular. He added that similar connectivity initiatives are being taken up in Kishtwar under the UDAAN scheme, further expanding regional access.
Describing the meeting as a milestone, the Minister said the decisions taken today will pave the way for the successful commencement of flight operations. Dr Jitendra Singh thanked officials from all concerned departments for their coordinated efforts and assured continued monitoring to ensure timely execution of the project.
Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Sameer Kumar Sinha; Secretary, Civil Aviation, Government of J&K, Naveen S.L.; Chairman Airports Authority of India, Vipin Kumar; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Ramesh Kumar and Executive Director (Planning), Nandita Bhatt besides other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
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