SRINAGAR: Revolt-hit Indian Kashmir opened its high-security airport to international traffic Saturday in a move officials say will lead to a tourism boom.
The upgraded airport terminal, equipped with all the modern gadgets like escalators, aero-bridges, central heating systems and lifts, was inaugurated by Sonia Gandhi, the chief of India's ruling Congress Party.
Minutes later the inaugural flight, from Dubai, landed at summer capital Srinagar's international airport with over two dozen passengers.
Gandhi received the passengers as they disembarked from an Air India plane.
"It is a very happy moment for all of us," said Gandhi, adding that the new airport would "boost tourism and help the locals."
Around 30 Kashmiris were to fly to Dubai later Saturday.
The project to upgrade the airport was approved by the Indian government in January 2005, a year after India and Pakistan launched a peace process to resolve their disputes, including the one over Kashmir.
Initially, there will be a flight between Dubai and Srinagar every Saturday, India's civil aviation minister Praful Patil said.
"We will surely extend the service to other parts of the world," he said.
Violence has declined sharply in Kashmir since the start of the peace process, prompting India to unleash a wave of economic plans to win over Kashmiri Muslims, most of who favour an independent Kashmir.
Soruce: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Kashmir-opens-airport-to-foreign-traffic/articleshow/4128795.cms
The upgraded airport terminal, equipped with all the modern gadgets like escalators, aero-bridges, central heating systems and lifts, was inaugurated by Sonia Gandhi, the chief of India's ruling Congress Party.
Minutes later the inaugural flight, from Dubai, landed at summer capital Srinagar's international airport with over two dozen passengers.
Gandhi received the passengers as they disembarked from an Air India plane.
"It is a very happy moment for all of us," said Gandhi, adding that the new airport would "boost tourism and help the locals."
Around 30 Kashmiris were to fly to Dubai later Saturday.
The project to upgrade the airport was approved by the Indian government in January 2005, a year after India and Pakistan launched a peace process to resolve their disputes, including the one over Kashmir.
Initially, there will be a flight between Dubai and Srinagar every Saturday, India's civil aviation minister Praful Patil said.
"We will surely extend the service to other parts of the world," he said.
Violence has declined sharply in Kashmir since the start of the peace process, prompting India to unleash a wave of economic plans to win over Kashmiri Muslims, most of who favour an independent Kashmir.
Soruce: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Kashmir-opens-airport-to-foreign-traffic/articleshow/4128795.cms
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