Keep Kashmir connected

The three-month suspension of flight operations at Srinagar International Airport on Mondays and Tuesdays reflects a difficult but necessary choice. Runway resurfacing and repair works are crucial for maintaining safety standards and ensuring that the airport can continue to handle growing passenger traffic. Yet, the decision also underscores Kashmir’s continuing dependence on air connectivity and the challenges that arise when that lifeline is interrupted. The Valley’s unique geography makes aviation far more than a matter of convenience. For tourists, businesspersons, patients, students and government officials, air travel often remains the fastest and most dependable means of transport. The suspension of operations twice every week is therefore likely to affect thousands of travel plans and create scheduling difficulties for airlines and passengers alike. The challenge is not the maintenance work itself. Few would dispute the importance of investing in critical infrastructure. The real issue lies in managing the consequences of the disruption. Airlines must provide timely information and flexible booking options, while airport authorities should ensure that passengers receive clear guidance regarding revised schedules and operational arrangements. The impact may be particularly pronounced for Hajj pilgrims returning to Kashmir. Recent complications involving baggage transportation have already exposed the logistical pressures created by ongoing runway works. These concerns require proactive planning and seamless coordination among all agencies involved. At a broader level, the episode highlights the need for long-term strategies to strengthen regional connectivity. Infrastructure upgrades should be accompanied by contingency planning that minimises disruption to passengers and commerce. The runway repairs will eventually benefit the travelling public by enhancing safety and operational efficiency. Until then, authorities must ensure that the burden of temporary inconvenience is reduced as much as possible. Effective communication and efficient management will be just as important as the engineering work taking place on the runway itself.