SRINAGAR: Ladakh authorities have stepped up efforts to start commercial flights from Kargil and Thoise, where such services are targeted for Dec this year. The Union territory at present has only one airport, Leh, for commercial flights.At a meeting chaired by LG Vinai Kumar Saxena, IAF approved five acres of land for a new civil terminal at Thoise, located in Nubra Valley. Runway recarpeting is underway and is expected to be completed by Nov.On Kargil, which has an airstrip for defence operations, the authorities decided to assess the existing infrastructure, technical requirements and other aspects necessary for starting civilian flights.Officials from the defence ministry, IAF, Airports Authority of India and the UT administration attended the meeting held on Friday at Ladakh Bhavan in New Delhi.“The meeting focused on resolving infrastructure, regulatory and operational issues to enable early commencement of civilian flights from the strategically and socio-economically important airports. These will significantly boost connectivity in the border areas,” a govt spokesperson said.

Saxena emphasised the need for time-bound operationalisation, saying commercial flights from both points would also unlock the immense tourism potential of areas such as Kargil, Drass, Turtuk and Siachen Base Camp. “Commercial flights are expected to provide greater accessibility to residents of Nubra and facilitate travel for visitors to destinations including Turtuk, Siachen and other parts while supporting tourism and local economic activity,” Saxena said.In March this year, chief executive councillor (CEC) of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council-Kargil (LAHDC) Mohd Jaffar Akhoon and Ladakh MP Mohmad Haneefa had met Union home minister Amit Shah in Delhi and sought civilian flights from Kargil. Akhoon and Haneefa have proposed starting small aircraft operations as an interim step.