Srinagar, March 16 : The international flight operations resumed at Srinagar airport on Wednesday with GoFirst Airlines flight G81595 operating on Srinagar Sharjah sector carrying 108 passengers, officials said. This is also the first international flight after inauguration of the International Cargo operations from Srinagar airport, a statement from the Airport Authority of India said. The Cargo Terminal facilities at the Srinagar International Airport were inaugurated on March 11, which will provide a thrust to the exporters. This flight, which will now be regularly operating on every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1945 hrs, can carry maximum three tonnes of cargo to Sharjah. “The doors have now opened wide for export of our industrial, agricultural and handicraft products. We call upon all the business houses and exporters of Kashmir to make full use of the facility,” the statement added. The direct flight connecting the Valley with the UAE was started on October 23 last year, after being flagged off by on Home Minister Amit Shah. However, due to the challenges posed by the surge in the third wave of Covid-19, the direct flights were discontinued in January this year. Meanwhile, a public hearing was conducted today at the airport, inviting questions, objections and suggestions on the mega project worth Rs 1,500 crore for construction of a new Terminal Building. Nasir Ahmad Lone, ADM, presided over the proceedings attended by the members of public and various stakeholders. Members of the public raised several questions on environment protection, pollution control and job generation as a direct result of this project. All the questions were satisfactorily answered and the hearing was successfully concluded. “We are sensitive to the welfare of our users and we will keep their concerns firmly in our mind, both during the execution and operation of the project. It is our persistent endeavour that our aviation-related activities should not result in pollution or degradation of the environment. The Regional Director, Pollution Control Board made a significant observation that the Development should not be at the cost of pollution; This Jannat must remain a Jannat,” he said. QAB RJ
