11 Jammu Kashmir Airstrips Identified Under UDAN but No Routes Awarded So Far | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Government of India has said that several airstrips in Jammu and Kashmir, including Kishtwar, have been identified under the regional connectivity framework, but no routes have yet been awarded for operations under the UDAN scheme.

Replying to an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said the Centre has formulated the Greenfield Airports Policy for the development of new airports in the country. Under the policy, any airport developer, including state governments, must identify a suitable site, conduct a pre-feasibility study and submit a proposal to the Central Government for site clearance followed by in-principle approval.

The minister said an expert committee from the Airports Authority of India has conducted a site visit to the Udhampur Air Force Station to assess the feasibility of introducing civil flight operations at the defence airfield. On preliminary assessment, development of a civil enclave at the station has been found feasible, subject to regulatory clearances and availability of land.

He added that a committee has recently visited the Kishtwar Airfield to explore the possibility of commencing civil flight operations.

According to the minister, several airstrips in the Union Territory are listed in the UDAN document, including Akhnur, Chamb, Gurez, Jhangar, Kishtwar, Miran Sahib, Mantalai, Panzgam, Poonch, Rajouri and Udhampur. However, no routes connecting these airstrips have been awarded for operation of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) flights in the first five rounds of UDAN bidding.

Responding to concerns about rising airfares, particularly during winter on routes between Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, the minister said that fares are not regulated by the government following the repeal of the Air Corporations Act in March 1994.

Airlines currently have the flexibility to determine ticket prices based on operational requirements while adhering to Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules.

The minister said airfare pricing is subject to dynamic market conditions and depends on factors such as seat occupancy, fuel costs, aircraft capacity, seasonal demand and other operational considerations.