Jammu, October 29, 2025 – In a promising step for regional connectivity, a five-member high-level team from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Airports Authority of India (AAI) visited Kishtwar district today for a two-day assessment of the proposed airport expansion under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme. Arriving early morning, the team – comprising technical experts from AAI’s engineering and planning divisions – conducted a detailed site inspection near the Chaugan ground, the proposed airstrip location, and held meetings with local officials to evaluate feasibility, land acquisition, and environmental impacts. The visit, part of the Centre’s push to connect remote areas, signals strong intent to transform Kishtwar into a full-fledged aviation hub.
Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh, MP from Udhampur-Kishtwar, flagged off the team’s itinerary in a virtual address at 9 AM, emphasizing: “This UDAN project will bridge Kishtwar’s isolation, boosting tourism, trade, and jobs for our youth.” The team, headed by AAI’s Joint General Manager (Planning) R.K. Sharma, wrapped initial surveys by 12 PM, focusing on the existing 1.5 km airstrip’s potential upgrade to handle 50-seater ATR-72 aircraft. Key data from the assessment: The site spans 50 acres, with 20 acres needing acquisition at Rs 50 crore, and runway extensions to 2 km for all-weather ops, costing Rs 300-400 crore overall. Environmental nods from the Forest Department are pending, but the team noted minimal ecological disruption compared to high-altitude projects like Leh.
For Kishtwar’s 2 lakh residents – Pahari farmers in Padder valley tending apple orchards, Muslim herders in Dachhan, and Hindu traders in the town bazaar – this is a long-awaited lifeline. The district, isolated by the Pir Panjal’s twists and August’s floods that damaged 100 homes and roads here, relies on 12-hour drives to Jammu. A local shopkeeper from Kishtwar town, at the site by 11 AM: “Flights to Delhi mean our saffron reaches markets fresh – no more rot in trucks.” Pahari women from Bhalessa, at a 1 PM community huddle: “Jobs for our girls in aviation; floods took our bridges, but this builds futures.”
The UDAN scheme, launched in 2017, has operationalized 625 routes linking 90 airports, benefiting 1.49 crore passengers with fares capped at Rs 2,500/hour. Kishtwar’s bid, submitted in January 2018 by Dr. Singh, faced delays from land and terrain issues but aligns with the scheme’s goal to connect 100 underserved spots by 2030. AAI data shows similar projects like Rajouri’s airstrip, approved in 2024, cutting travel times by 70%. Future? The team submits its report to MoCA by November 10, with approvals eyed by December and construction starting in 2026, creating 2,000 jobs.
Historically, J&K’s aviation dreams trace to Maharaja Hari Singh’s 1930s Srinagar airstrip for Dogra flights; post-1947, militancy stalled growth. Today, amid PoK unrest (nine dead last week), this UDAN push ties to border stability – better access for security and aid.