SRINAGAR
In the middle of peak tourism season, Indian Air force (IAF) has decided to start renovation and upgradation of the runway at Srinagar International Airport forcing Airports Authority of India (AAI) to restrict the flight timing schedule to 4.30 PM.
The move has led to strong resentment among the stakeholders here who allege that there seems to be deliberate attempt by certain quarters in the establishment to scuttle the tourist arrivals to Kashmir. “There seems to be a pattern that every year the renovation of the runway is started at the peak of the tourism season seemingly to scuttle the tourist arrivals to Kashmir,” a group of tourism players told Greater Kashmir.
However, official sources said the runway, which was made operational in 2009, has developed cracks and there are potholes visible on the surface which can jeopardize the safety of passengers. “The runway has developed cracks due to use of substandard material used for renovation in 2009, otherwise it is not possible that cracks would develop in such a short span of time,” they said and demanded a CBI probe into the “substandard” works executed at the runway.
Full report here Greater Kashmir
