Need for a low cost airline
As the Jammu-Srinagar national highway of late has been giving a tough time to commuters during the days of downpour, the increased airfares during the days of highway closure is providing us all the reasons for starting a low cost airlines for the region.
Technically speaking the highway has remained closed for many days during the past two weeks and the same behavior of the highway continued in the earlier months as well when it rained or snowed along the pir panjal region. The closure of highway meant that the only mode of travel that the people in the twin cities could rely on is the air travel.
However, the skyrocketing airfares that are being witnessed by passengers travelling on the Jammu-Srinagar-Delhi circuit is not only creating troubles for the common man but tourists too will start ignoring destinations like Kashmir.
The exorbitant air fare has been a concern among the people and the tourism players alike as various moves were initiated by the governments in the past to control the rising air fares. But all this proved to be hoax as the private airlines have been operation here on the conditions set by them as they are giving least attention to the concerns and reservations expressed by the people here.
Last week when the flights got cancelled for many days owing to bad weather the airport authority announced that no fresh booking will be entertained by the airlines till all the backlog is cleared and no fresh rates should be offered to the people seeking bookings of air tickets.
However, despite the warnings the airlines citing one or the other reason resorted to foul play and managed to sell tickets to people on higher rates.
Ironically, various proposals have been discussed and even made public over the years but when it comes to execution of these proposals the governments have failed miserably. One fails to understand that what are the reservations that the governments face while announcing and later operating such a service that can prove to benefit a common man.
After all the passengers who get stranded in the twin cities due to road closure cannot continue to suffer the ordeal every year. Besides, Kashmir as well as Jammu continues to attract tourists even during winter and in such a scenario they too face the heat when their tickets get cancelled and they have to spent hefty amounts to reach back to their destinations.
The increased air fares also hit the students and frequent traveler who have to put themselves at risk by opting to travel by the undependable Jammu-Srinagar road link during the days of downpour. Though the highway has seen lot of improvement over the years but the Banihal-Ramban stretch is still troubling commuters that too frequently.
Given the scenario the government intervention is of utmost importance as it alone can provide relief for the common man by arranging for an affordable air service that can come to everybody’s rescue.
KV Network
