No headway in Jammu Airport expansion project

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Nov 16: The much-delayed project to upgrade Jammu Airport into international airport is still pending even after the completion of two years from the approval of the proposal by the government as Army has still not shifted to Sunjawah.

Though the issue of land at Sunjawah which was turned out to be a Game Reserve from the time of Maharaja was solved, but army is taking time to shift to new place, keeping in view the huge logistic efforts needed.

Sources disclosed that the expansion project will cover around 144 kanals of army land and the concern department has identified the same area at Sunjwan for the army.

Penitently, the total estimated cost to the project is Rs 61.30 crore, the first installment of Rs. 20 Crores have been released by Union government  some months back. When completed it will increase the length of the runway from present 6700 feet to

8000 feet allowing bigger aircrafts like Airbus to land at the airport, which is not possible at present as the runway length is small for the operation of the bigger aircrafts.

Talking to TNI Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Pardeep Gupta said that the department is still holding discussion with the army on the issue of land.

“Gupta further said that the land has been identified in Sunjwan but the department is resolving the issue with the army to transfer from Satwari to Sunjwan adding that only after that other work will be started for the expansion of the airport.

 “Out of total Rs 20 crores of first installment, Rs 2.10 crore have been released in favour of  wildlife department as part of  land compensation, Rs 2.60 crore in favour of Army authorities, Rs 7 crore to Public Works Department for diversion of road, 5 crores to irrigation department to shift D-9A channel, 1crore to Electricity Maintanance and Rural Electrification (EMRE) wing to shift 132 KV transmission line and  other utilities” sources said, adding that the shifting of these utilities was in initial stage.