Srinagar, Jan 4 (UNI) Air traffic remained suspended at Srinagar International Airport for the second consecutive day on Monday due to fresh snowfall and poor visibility.
Meanwhile, due to closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway and cancellation of all incoming and outgoing flights at Srinagar airport on Monday, air fares have witnessed a major hike during the past 24 hours.
No aircraft could land at or take off from the Srinagar airport on Monday so far, officials told UNI.
They informed that there was fresh snowfall during the night and visibility remained poor. However, so far no flight has been cancelled, officials said adding morning flights which were scheduled to land from New Delhi from 0900 hrs are delayed.
They informed that snow clearance work on the runway has been started, adding that flight operations will resume when the visibility improves.
Large number of passengers, who are scheduled to travel to different parts of the country, particularly New Delhi, Amritsar and Jammu, had arrived at the Airport today morning.
There is no word from the Airport authorities about the status of their flights today, they said adding they had to return back to their homes in the evening on Sunday after all flights were cancelled.
Tourists also face the similar situation and had to return back to their hotels yesterday and are face uncertainty today also.
Passengers alleged that Srinagar-Delhi fare which was just Rs 3500 to Rs 5000 about few days ago now costs in the range of Rs 10,000 to Rs 15000. If you search online fare of different Airlines between Srinagar to other parts of the country, you will see a huge jump despite repeated assurance by the authorities to keep a strict check on airfare when the highway is closed.
People associated with tourism industry also expressed concern over the steep increase in airfare. They said they were expecting a good winter season but unjustified increase in airfare will force tourists to travel to other places in the country because of low air fare, they said and demanded immediate intervention by Union Territory (UT) and central governments.
UNI BAS RKM