To address issues concerning Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport, a meeting was chaired by CEC with Guru Prasad Mohapatra, Chairman, AAI on February 4. 

In the meeting, CEC sought the intervention of the Airport Authority of India (AAI) to address the same. He talked about the need of enhancing Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) storage capacity in Leh.  The present ATF depot is not capable to cater the requirement of both Army and Civil aircraft due to which civil aircrafts operating in Leh are compelled to carry reserve ATF. Thus resulting in reduced carrying seats for passengers coupled with high airfares. 

He requested construction of additional ATF depot in Leh for which land will be allotted by the Hill Council.  

To enhance the flight frequency in Leh, he requested the extension of two additional bays till the completion of the new air terminal as the present two bays are not big enough to operate extra flights.

Guru Prasad Mohapatra said that the work of upcoming two additional bays has already been allotted to the contractor and assured for speedy progress in this regard.  

Regarding recruitment of local C class employees in AAI Leh, the posts will be advertised through LAHD-SSRB Leh shortly and the recruitment process will start soon.  

Jamyang thanked Chairman AAI for the two major projects being implemented in Leh under Corporate Social Responsibilities Projects of AAI worth ₹60 lakh Milk Pasteurization Plant in Leh and ₹ 50 lakh  Project Tsang-Da’, (Solid Waste Management Center at Diskit Nubra). He requested for more such projects under CSR.

Guru Prasad Mohapatra assured to sanction two more projects in the year 2019-20 and asked LAHDC, Leh, to submit the projects. On the request of Tsering Sandup, EC Health he also assured to sanction one more project for Nubra under CSR.

Highlighting the importance of Nubra-Thoise Airport for Army, local passengers and tourists and availability of large chunk of land for its expansion proposed to device a future plan for Nurba Airport, Tsering Sandup requested Chairman AAI for the inclusion of Nubra Airport in UDAN Scheme.  

Chairman AAI assured to put all his efforts to bring Nubra Airport under the ambit of UDAN scheme for the overall interest of the Nubra region.

While discussing about the heating, toilet and other basic facilities at Leh Airport, he assured to solve all the issues promptly till the new Leh Airport Terminal is completed.