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| Kargil may be better connected this winter | | | Sant Kumar Sharma | 9/7/2009 10:47:42 PM |
| JAMMU, September 7:
The state government’s efforts to ensure better connectivity for remote areas like Kargil, Gurez and Dachan-Marwah in Kishtwar may start showing results this winter. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is being approached for providing helicopter flights during winter when the road link to these areas gets snapped, according to sources.This has happened because the legislators from Zanskar, Nubra, Gurez and Kishtwar have constantly been lobbying with the state government. These legislators have been asking the government to provide subsidized flights during winters to their areas.Several remote areas from these constituencies remain totally cut off during winters as the passes connecting them to the outside world get blocked due to heavy snow. This period can last for as long as five months, from mid-November onwards till April-end.During the worst days of winter, the citizens from these areas face severe problems as they can’t go out for treatment even in a life-threatening situation. So far, the Army units deployed in these areas come to the rescue of the hapless citizens.
The helicopters flying into areas of Gurez and Nubra, carrying officers and supplies, are sometimes used for evacuating civilians also. But there is nothing official about it and these flights may or may not be available at any given time.
The legislators want all this to change and want regular helicopter flights to be started on a regular basis. They want that big transport IAF helicopters like Mi-17 should be used for starting regular, subsidized flights to their areas.
The indepependent MLA from Nubra, Mr Tsetan Namgyal, says: ``We have to look after our constituents and one of their most dire needs is connectivity during winters. If Ladakhis are provided flight during winters, they will be willing to stand for hours in the aircraft to reach the outside world.’’
Another legislator, Mr Firdous Ahmed, hailing from the Zanskar area of Kargil district, agrees with Mr Namgyal. ``We have been fighting for regular Mi-17 flights from remote areas during winters for years now. It appears now that these flights will become a reality this winter,’’ he said.
Incidentally, the reason for his optimism is assurances given by the government on the floor of the Legislative Assembly during the recent session.The legislator from Gurez, Mr Nazir Gurezi, and his colleague from Kishtwar, Mr Sajjad Kitchloo, also share this optimism. Several areas from their constituencies remain cut off and they are hoping that regular and subsidized flights during winters will help mitigate the sufferings of the people.
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