Keep Kashmir connected

The proposed closure of Srinagar International Airport for runway maintenance presents a difficult but necessary challenge. Safe and modern aviation infrastructure is essential, and periodic maintenance of the runway cannot be compromised. However, the timing and manner of the proposed closure raise legitimate concerns for Kashmir’s tourism-dependent economy. The Valley is gradually regaining tourism momentum after facing multiple disruptions over the years. The period between July and September coincides with the peak tourist season, when thousands of visitors arrive every week. The proposed suspension of operations on two days every week, followed by a complete closure in October, risks creating uncertainty among tourists, travel operators and airlines alike. Tourism is not merely an industry in Kashmir but a lifeline for thousands of families. Hotel owners, houseboat operators, taxi drivers, guides, artisans and small businesses all depend on a steady flow of visitors. Any disruption in air connectivity can have a cascading effect on livelihoods and economic activity. The concerns raised by tourism stakeholders deserve serious attention. Their suggestion of temporarily opening the Awantipora Air Base for civilian operations merits careful examination by the Centre, the Civil Aviation Ministry and security agencies. Similar arrangements have been adopted elsewhere during infrastructure upgrades and could provide a practical solution to maintain connectivity while allowing essential maintenance work to proceed. The issue extends beyond tourism. Patients travelling for medical treatment, students, businesspersons and residents with urgent travel needs also rely heavily on air services. Ensuring uninterrupted access to and from the Valley is therefore both an economic and humanitarian necessity. Infrastructure development and connectivity need not be competing priorities. With timely planning, coordination and political will, the government can ensure that runway modernization proceeds without undermining a crucial tourism season. Kashmir’s economy needs better infrastructure, but it also needs to remain connected while that infrastructure is being built.