Jan 23: In a historic first for Udhampur, a high-level team from the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation visited the town to finalise modalities for the operationalisation of civil passenger air flights. The visit marked a significant milestone in strengthening regional air connectivity and unlocking new development opportunities for the region.
Equally noteworthy was the first-ever joint high-level meeting involving representatives from the Government of India, the Government of Jammu & Kashmir, the Defence Forces, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), and elected public representatives. The meeting reflected a strong “whole of government” approach, underscoring coordinated efforts to translate policy vision into actionable outcomes.
The visiting delegation was led by Union Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Shri Sameer Kumar Sinha, and included Secretary (Civil Aviation) and Chairman, Airports Authority of India, Shri Vipin Kumar, along with senior AAI officials such as Shri Suresh Kumar and Smt. Nandita Bhat, among others. The team arrived from New Delhi to assess preparedness and resolve operational aspects related to civil aviation services.
Upon arrival, the delegation was received by the Indian Air Force team led by Air Vice Marshal Vikas Sharma, highlighting the crucial role of defence-civil coordination in facilitating air operations at the strategic airfield.
The meeting was attended by local elected representatives, including MLAs Shri Pawan Gupta and Shri B.S. Mankotia, alongside senior civil administration officials such as Secretary Aviation, J&K, Shri Navin, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shri Ramesh Kumar, District Magistrate Udhampur Ms. Saloni Rai, SSP Shri Amodh Nagporia, and other concerned officers.
During the deliberations, key issues related to infrastructure readiness, security coordination, regulatory clearances, and passenger operations were discussed in detail. The emphasis remained on ensuring safe, efficient, and timely commencement of civil passenger flights while maintaining operational harmony between civilian and defence aviation requirements.
The proposed civil air connectivity from Udhampur is expected to significantly enhance regional accessibility, promote tourism, facilitate business travel and improve emergency and disaster response capabilities. Local stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative would act as a catalyst for economic growth and improved connectivity for residents of Udhampur and adjoining districts.
The visit and joint review underscored the commitment of the Central and UT governments to expanding aviation infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir, particularly in strategically important and geographically challenging regions.
