The already uncertain situation in Kashmir has further been compounded by the decision of the Indian Air Force authorities in Srinagar to close the Airport for a fortnight to enable resurfacing of the runway. Before one goes into the timing and other merits and demerits of the decision, it needs to be clarified that there is no civilian airport in Srinagar. On the contrary it has always been an Air Base operated and controlled by the Indian Air Force. After the Indian forces landed here on October 27, 1947, and took control of the Airfield it has remained under the control of the Air Force. On the old Airfield there was a small wooden terminal building which was used for civilian flights. After the Air Base was expanded and the new runway laid, the civilian operations were shifted to the present side by constructing a new terminal building. At that time it was probably envisaged that the Air Force operations would be completely shifted to the newly set up Air base at Koil in Awantipora. However, this did not happen and both the bases remained with the Air Force. A few years back, the Union Cabinet declared Srinagar Airport as an International Airport and sanctioned the modification of the existing terminal building to handle International flights which ultimately proved to be a cruel joke. In real terms, it was an anomaly to declare it as an International Airport. In fact, what they had done was to sanction the upgrading of the building to somewhat International standards.

The runway, the Air Traffic Control, and all operations continue to be with the Air Force. They have the last word in all matters concerning the Civil Aviation operations. The Airports Authority of India which operates and controls all the Airports in the country has no jurisdiction in such matters in Kashmir. There has been a tussle going on between two organisations in regard to timing of civilian flights, installation of Instrument Landing System and many other similar matters but due to ever green “Security Reasons” the Air Force authorities enjoy the overriding powers unlike other parts of India. In all other metros and all over the country the airports as well as the air space except in times of war are controlled by the Civil Aviation organisation. Not in Kashmir. Here, everything is under the direct control of Defence Authorities all the time! The local Air Force authorities cannot be blamed for the tussle. They have to carry out the orders of the Ministry of Defence. One has to understand that Kashmir is of prime strategic location for India both in regard to Pakistan and China. The Air Force Bases in Kashmir and Ladakh are a great asset for the Indian Defence authorities. Most of the destructive sorties on the Pakistani bases in 1965 were mounted from the Srinagar Air Base. Similarly, in 1999 Kargil War, it was the Srinagar Base which enabled through Air Force the throwing back of the Pakistani intruders from various heights. As such the Defence authorities will never agree to relinquish their hold on these bases in Kashmir.

There have been many other grievances relating to the Airport. It has multiple tiers of security not seen on any other airport in the world. The sole international flight to Dubai was started with great fanfare by the Congress President Sonia Gandhi. However, it was discontinued in less than a year of operation. The present closure smacks of communal bias. During the pilgrimage to the holy cave of Amaranth it continued to be operational but just close to the Festival of Eid it is planned to be closed. But the fault lies with the State Government. The decision of resurfacing has been in the pipeline for sometime. The State Government could have made alternate arrangements a month back. They are now trying to do it in panic. Even their attempt to relocate flights to Awantipora Base has run into problem with the Civil Aviation Security. All these deficiencies with the present operation of civilian flights are possible to be taken care of. The best alternative in practical terms is an independent civilian facility outside the Defence network. Not a big deal to achieve if there are sincere leaders pleading the same and the Centre has the will to do so!

Kashmir’s greatest misfortune has been the attitude of it’s, what are known as the mainstream leaders. Their sole aim has been self-aggrandisement. They have never bothered sincerely to do something for the overall interests of both the Kashmiris and the land of Kashmir itself. Had they been honest and sincere, they would not have mortgaged all the resources of Kashmir to the Central Government. There are no two opinions regarding the basic fact that Kashmir has enough resources to sustain itself. These include the hydro-electric power potential, the massive forest cover, the potential for agro-industries and last but not the least, the massive potential for International tourism both the summer and winter! Instead of taking genuine steps to make us self-reliant, they have ensured total economic dependence of Kashmir on outsiders. Massive investments have been made in unproductive sectors thereby neglecting the most important ones.

Even if some investment has been made in these sectors, major portion of it has been gobbled by the corrupt system established and nourished by them all these years. Their only slogan to deceive the people has been the so called “Autonomy” which has been buried by the Central Government long time back. Let them try only to get some autonomy in the operation of civilian flights. It will be a great contribution! As already mentioned, this can be achieved by getting a totally civilian airport of International standards complete in all respects and without any interference of the Defence Authorities. It is something achievable in a matter of few years through some global agencies as has been done in the case of Delhi. The Central Government keeps on waving the wands of notes of thousands of crores in regard to various projects in Kashmir. A full fledged civilian airport will cost only a couple of hundred crores or so! There cannot be a bigger confidence building measure than this in the present circumstances of total alienation! Will somebody at the highest level give a serious thought to this and make at the least an announcement to this effect? Never mind the host of other promises yet to be kept! One more won’t make a big difference! At least it will show that somebody does care for Kashmiris!