JK govt mulling proposing to Centre alternative airport for

The Jammu and Kashmir government today said a proposal would be submitted to the Centre for developing an alternative airport here with a longer runway.
Officials concerned have been asked to search for suitable land for the project.
"The state government has decided to submit a proposal to the centre for developing an alternative airport in Jammu," Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh said chairing a high level meeting here.
The government has decided to identify suitable land before approaching the Centre and asked the deputy commissioners of Jammu and Samba districts to start the process for land identification required for developing double runway airport, he said.

"Arrangements should be made for aerial survey of sites ideal for the construction of the ambitious project," he said.
Director, Airports Authority of India, Jammu, D K Goutam, said 650 acre land is required for developing a single runway and 1,100 acre is required for double-strip of runway.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mandeep Kumar Bhandari raised the issues pertaining to the expansion of Jammu airport and bottlenecks impeding its speedy expansion.
The deputy chief minister stressed on the need for close synergy among different agencies involved in the project to overcome the bottlenecks and ensure completion of the expansion project.