Kargil’s struggle for air connectivity continues: No proposal for civil airport yet

Srinagar: Despite growing demands for enhanced air connectivity in Kargil district of Ladakh Union Territory (UT), the government of India has yet to take decisive steps toward establishing a fully operational civil airport in the region.

This comes as the UT continues to struggle with geographical challenges and limited transportation options, particularly in the harsh winter months when roads are often blocked due to heavy snowfall. Kargil is connected to the rest of the country via Srinagar-Leh road, but it remains blocked due to heavy snowfall in winter.

Murlidhar Mohol, the Minister of State for Civil Aviation, recently confirmed in Parliament that the Ladakh administration has not requested a new feasibility study for the construction of a civil airport in Kargil.

According to the Minister, a 2021 survey conducted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Indian Air Force, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) evaluated several potential locations—Wakha, Kargil, Turtuk, Diskit, Nyoma, and Padum/Zanskar—but found none suitable for airport development.

Experts argue that a dedicated airport in Kargil could improve connectivity to the region, reduce dependence on road transport, and provide crucial logistical support to the Army, which maintains a strong presence in the area due to its strategic location near the borders with Pakistan and China.

Kargil is a popular tourist destination, particularly for those seeking adventure and natural beauty, with attractions like the Suru Valley, Zanskar Valley, and historical sites like the Kargil War Memorial.

It gained international attention during the 1999 conflict between India and Pakistan, which resulted in India’s victory on July 26, a day now commemorated as Kargil Vijay Diwas.

The Indian Army was initially caught off guard when Pakistani forces occupied high-altitude peaks, between 15,000 and 17,000 feet, on the Indian side of the Line of Control (LoC). However, as the full scale of the invasion became clear, the Indian Army swiftly mobilized to recapture the territory.