After starting it's first-ever train service recently, Kashmir is now all set for the inauguration of its international airport. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi is shceduled to open the Srinagar international airport on February 14. The first ever international flight -from Srinagar to Dubai- will be operated by the Air India. Civil aviation Minister Praful Patel, railway minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and other central leaders will attend the function. Sonia will also open the train service between Rajvansher, near Srinagar city, and Baramulla, the major north Kashmir town.
With this rail link, most part of the Baramulla-Qazigund railway line in the Valley will be operational.
The first phase, linking Rajvansher to Anantnag in south Kashmir, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on October 12, in the presence of Sonia Gandhi, Lalu Yadav and other leaders. Jammu and Kashmir's new chief minister Omar Abdullah was keen that the inauguration of the airport and railway service should be held soon. Political circles said Omar wished the prime minister too attended the function- the major one after Omar's assuming power. But he did not want to delay the ceremony in view of the ensuing poll formalities. During his visit to Delhi a few days ago, Omar had met President Pratibha Patil, Vice-President Hamid Ansari, Sonia Gandhi and other central leaders and invited them for their first visits to the State during the NC-Congress regime. State tourism minister Rigzen Jora said that the starting of international flights will boost the tourism sector in the Valley. "We will be able to facilitate international direct chartered flights for tourists from West Asia, Malaysia, Japan and other countries" Jora said.
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