SRINAGAR: Indian Air Force (IAF) has agreed to hand over 11.8 acres of land to Airport Authority of India (AAI) at Leh airport. However, the state government will have to allot 28 acres of land in lieu of the land being handed over to AAI.
This information was given by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who also holds Tourism portfolio also, in reply to a question by Nawang Rigzin Jora in the Legislative Assembly today.
The reply said that as per IAF they will hand over 11.8 acres of land to AAI for construction of Terminal Building (TB) only after getting No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the state government land of 28 acres in lieu of the land.
Few meeting were arranged to address the issue of land with IAF authorities at Leh and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. It said most of the impediments are cleared except the indent which needed to be raised by Defence Estate Officer (DEO).
However, the delay is from the side of DEO and the matter is being taken up with the Principal DEO, Government of India (GoI) through Chief Minsiter's Office for expediting raising of indent.
In a reply to a separate question by Mr Jora who wanted to know the steps contemplated to address shortage of flights in Ladakh and exorbitant airfares affecting the tourist trade severely, the Chief Minister said since the parking bays are limited at Leh airport and window of operations is limited, the problem of shortage of flights will persist till the expansion of terminal and apron takes place.
However, it said, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of M Kanna, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Aviation, GoI in 2013 with Deputy Commissioner, Leh and other officials of different department.
The reply said that the chairman apart from various assurances taken up in respect of speeding up of completion of infrastructure problems constraining augmentation of flight to Leh suggested to reduce 21 per cent VAT on ATF in the region by the state government which is accounting for 50 per cent operating cost of flight.
The Chief Minister said moreover Air Traffic is linked to the market driven demand and supply mechanics and the state government has no control over the airfare.
However, the only solution is increase number of flights which will be possible only once adequate parking stands are created by AAI at Leh airport.
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