The air travel will soon become an ease and be like dream coming true for the residents of hilly belts at affordable rates with the completion of proposed Kishtwar and operationalization of Udhampur airports under UDAN Scheme that will not only boost the economic growth but also promote tourism in Jammu and Kashmir.
Notably, Kishtwar and Udhampur districts are among the key destinations in Jammu and Kashmir attracting thousands of tourists to its picturesque spots every year.
“The proposed airports are included in the UDAN scheme to enhance connectivity in the hilly regions of Jammu and Kashmir,” said an official. He said that the feasibility and land assessment studies for its development are underway, which will also help boost the region’s economy and markets for local produce.
However, he said that operationalization of Udhampur Airport has been finalised, allowing for initial civil flight operations to start using the existing infrastructure.
“The proposed Kishtwar airport was included in the UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) scheme to improve regional connectivity and boost local economies by providing affordable air travel,” union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, who is also Member Parliament Kathua-Udhampur Constituency, exclusively told UNI.
Announcing that the operationalization of Udhampur airport has also been finalised, with initial flights expected to use ATR 72-seater aircraft and capped fares, making travel cheaper than flights to Jammu, Dr Singh said, “The aim is to provide affordable air travel options, making Delhi-Udhampur flights significantly cheaper than Delhi-Jammu flights.”
Dr Singh further told UNI that improving air connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir is crucial not only for passenger convenience but also for economic growth, tourism and greater integration of the region with national mainstream.
“Under the UDAN scheme, a substantial part of the airfare will be subsidised through viability gap funding and this would not only make flights more affordable but also bring Delhi–Udhampur fares substantially lower than the Delhi–Jammu route,” said Dr Singh and expressed that this would be a major relief for students and young professionals, who often face steep travel costs.
He said that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has agreed to take up the required development, including navigational and basic facilities, without requiring additional land for initial operations, as the apron space will be made available by defence authorities.
“The first phase of operations in Udhampur is expected to take around six months,” he disclosed. On Kishtwar airport, Dr. Singh added that earlier attempts to develop the airstrip faced hurdles due to land beyond Army possession that required acquisition, potentially costing crores of rupees but fresh feasibility and land assessment studies are now being initiated to find a workable solution.”
“Kishtwar is an “aspirational agricultural district” and airport there would boost the region’s economy, particularly the agricultural economy by helping local saffron cultivators and farmers reach wider markets,” said the union minister, adding that he would personally take up the matter of land requisition, wherever required, with the Chief Minister and Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir.
“Both airport projects are expected to improve passenger convenience, promote tourism, support economic growth, and foster greater integration of the region with the national mainstream,” said Dr Singh.
The UDAN Scheme is the government initiative that aims to connect smaller cities and towns, and it subsidises a portion of the airfare through viability gap funding, thus making flights more affordable.
