Expressing concern over hike in airfare in the flights to Kashmir, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Public Distribution and Legal Metrology Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali has approached Union Minister for Civil Aviation Mr. Ashok Gajapathi Raju and demanded to keep the airfare reasonable so that it does not affect tourist influx to Kashmir during summer season.Ch. Zulfkar brought into the notice of Union Minister that during past few years during summer, airlines both Government and Private arbitrarily hike the airfares in Delhi- Srinagar and Jammu- Srinagar sectors resulting bad impact on commuters intending to visit the State especially Valley. He said that the tourism season is at peak in the State and there is need to slash the airfare so that more and more tourists are inclined to visit the Valley. The rates are charged generally on the higher side and shoot up irrationally during Summer season, he maintained.
Expressing serious concern, Ch. Zulfkar said that high rates of airfare may put negative impact on the tourism industry of the State.Requesting Ashok Gajapathi Raju to personally intervene in the matter, the Minister pleaded for fixing reasonable airfare rates so that more and more tourists opt for air travel to visit the Valley.
The Minister said that union Government shall take step in slashing the airfare, saying that this would go a long way in increasing the tourist influx to the State and boost the state economy.The Minister also called upon the people of other states of the Country to visit the State to enjoy the natural beauty including green lush meadows and pleasant weather of the State.