Currently, the Kargil airbase is used exclusively by the military for its troop and cargo movements. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism, Transport and Culture has, however, not suggested any transfer of ownership of this key forward airbase to the Airports Authority of India, but has asked the civil aviation ministry to immediately start commercial operations to enable civilians enjoy an air-ride over the picturesque land.

"The current arrangement of flights is such that only outside tourists are encouraged to come to Jammu and Kashmir. But the locals are now showing interest in visiting different parts of the state. This trend should be promoted," Sitaram Yechury, chairman of the parliamentary panel, said. Leh, Srinagar and Jammu are connected with Delhi, Mumbai and Chandigarh by daily flights, while weekly flights are available from Jammu to Leh. To start with, the Yechury panel has suggested at least thrice-a-week flight connecting Jammu, Srinagar and Leh with Kargil, before converting it into a daily route.

In order to strengthen the transport infrastructure, the parliamentary committee has also suggested that private airlines should not retain their rights to determine destinations in the Tier 3 sector.

Currently, private airlines have to serve to Tier 3 sector — in other words, J&K and North-Eastern states — 2 per cent of its flights. "But it is seen that the airlines, to fulfill their obligations, prefer to fly to North Eastern destinations like Guwahati or Agartala, as it gives them greater revenues, and neglect J&K. The government should determine how the private airlines should cater to different destinations in the Tier 3 sector," said Shamik Lahiri, the member of the panel.

Jammu and Kashmir had beena languishing under the shadow of militancy for more than two decades. But in the recent past, the state is crippling back to normalcy amidst reduced terrorist attacks.

The parliamentary committee, comprising of representatives of different political parties, wants to use this opportunity to facilitate the state's biggest economic activity — tourism.

The committee has also made the Archeological Survey of India to renovate the Shalimar Bagh built by Emperor Jehangir for his wife Nur Jahan in 1616. "It was in a state of ruins for years. Now, the ASI will restore the old architecture and decorate it with more trees," Yechury said.