Srinagar: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on April 18 laid the foundation stone
for expansion of the Srinagar airport terminal saying it required to be given
international status in the days to come.
At the first function shortly after he arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit, he
said the expansion of the airport terminal was part of efforts to make arrangements
to ensure that planes flew to greater number of destinations from Srinagar.
Maintaining that Srinagar airport needed expansion to cater to the needs of people,
he said in an era of connectivity, travelling time between places should be reduced.
He noted that there were flights now for Saudi Arabia from Srinagar while Haj
pilgrims earlier had to go to Mumbai for their pilgrimage and then undertake journey
by ship.
Vajpayee said with flights connecting Srinagar to Saudi Arabia, Haj pilgrims no
longer had to undertake tedious journeys.
"Things have changed now. There is a direct flight," he said adding this saved time
and ensured comfortable travel.
The Prime Minister lit a lamp at the foundation laying ceremony at the Civil Enclave
airport terminal. Jammu and Kashmir Governor G C Saxena, Chief Minister Mufti
Mohammed Sayeed, former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and Civil Aviation Minister
Syed Shahnawaz Hussain were among others present on the occasion.
PTI
