Prior closure of the Zojila pass, UT Administration gears up for AN-32 Courier Services for transportation of passengers of Kargil as well as essential goods.

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, UT Ladakh, Umang Narula chaired a State level officers’ meeting to review the preparedness for the winter life-line on December 12. 

Advisor Narula appreciated the departments/agencies for their last years’ support and cooperation that resulted in the smooth functioning of the winter air-service. He also mentioned the work-load that had risen due to the COVID pandemic. He expressed his hope to get similar cooperation from all the concerned departments and stakeholders to provide better facilities to the passengers. 

He gave directions for the appointment of Liaison Officers and told DCs of both the districts to make arrangements for medical screening before boarding. Directions were also given to the concerned agencies for the appointment of Nodal Officers and ensure advance arrangements in place for the overall smooth functioning of the operation of flights.    

Commissioner/Secretary Civil Aviation Rigzin Samphel informed about planning to start the Courier service tentatively from the third week of December on weekly basis from Kargil to Srinagar and Jammu sectors. 

He briefed about the background as well as the requisitions during the upcoming operation of AN-32. Various discussions and decisions were made in consultation with the counterparts in Jammu and Kashmir.  

The meeting deliberated on several aspects in connection with alternate ways during flight cancellations due to bad weather condition and other unavoidable reasons, rush periods especially during February and March/April, availability of alternate IL-76 or C-17 for stranded passengers, medical emergency evacuations, space for ticket counters, bus transportation, ticket fare among others.
 
Air Force authority informed that following the COVID-19 advisory, the passengers intending to avail of the air service must adhere to the mandatory requirements of medical screening before boarding. Any passenger with flu-like symptoms is to be denied boarding, passengers are provided with fresh triple-layer mask and face shield, based on social distancing requirement a maximum of 25 passengers will be accommodated. Only the approved number of passengers will be permitted to arrive at the aircraft and handling of passenger baggage by a separate team.