Jammu-Kargil flight launched

The air strip so far was used only by the army and the Indian Air Force. Abdullah and some of his ministerial colleagues were on the Mantra Airline flight which took off from Jammu and landed in Kargil.

After landing in Kargil, Omar highlighted the importance of a regular service for this area for communication and tourism.

"Such a service ...(is) required keeping in view the winter severity in the area along with blockade of the highway for months," the chief minister said.

After the commencement of the construction of Z-Morh tunnel, the air service to Kargil is another positive news for people, he said.

The temperature in Kargil dips to minus 20 degrees Celsius during winters.

Emphasizing the need for putting in place all statutory requirements and safety measures for starting flights to Kargil, he said he would take up the issue of subsidising the air fare for common people so that they are able to utilise the services, especially during winter months.

Currently, the fare has been fixed at Rs.10,000 per person.

Kargil remains cut off from the rest of the world for six months because of heavy snow on the mountainous passes like Zojila Pass.