By BOTT Desk
A wave of tourists is leaving Jammu & Kashmir following a tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam that has shaken the region. The attack, which occurred yesterday, has prompted an urgent response from both authorities and airlines to assist stranded visitors in returning home safely.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, issued an advisory today addressing the crisis. The advisory urges airlines to swiftly increase the number of flights from Srinagar to various destinations across India to meet the heightened demand. It also emphasizes ensuring uninterrupted connectivity to facilitate the evacuation of stranded tourists. Additionally, airlines are requested to consider waiving cancellation and rescheduling fees and to provide all necessary assistance to tourists facing challenges during this difficult time.
According to information provided by the aviation ministry, additional flights have also been kept on standby to cater to further evacuation needs. Air India, its budget airline arm Air India Express, IndiGo, and Akasa Air have also waived off rescheduling and cancellation charges on flights to and from Srinagar for a week.
Chief Minister of Jammu & Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, addressed the situation, expressing both empathy and a call for cooperation. “It’s heartbreaking to see the exodus of our guests from the valley after yesterday’s tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, but at the same time, we totally understand why people would want to leave,” Abdullah said. He added, “While DGCA & the Ministry of Civil Aviation are working to organise extra flights, NH-44 between Srinagar & Jammu has been reconnected for traffic in a single direction. I’ve directed the administration to facilitate traffic between Srinagar & Jammu, allowing tourist vehicles to leave. This will have to be done in a controlled & organised way because the road is still unstable in places, and we are also working hard to clear all the stranded vehicles. We will not be able to permit completely free movement of vehicles at the moment, and we hope that everyone will cooperate with us.”
The reopening of NH-44, though limited to one-way traffic, provides a critical route for tourists to exit the region by road. However, authorities have cautioned that the road’s instability requires careful management, and free movement of vehicles cannot be permitted at this time.
In the wake of Tuesday’s terror attack, Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu has issued a “strong advisory against surge pricing” to airlines, asking them to maintain regular airfare levels on flights connecting Srinagar with the rest of India.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the attack, the coordinated efforts of the government, DGCA, and airlines aim to ensure the safe and orderly return of tourists while addressing the logistical challenges posed by the crisis.
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