India-Pakistan Tensions: Is Modi government planning to open 32 airports after ceasefire declaration? What we know so far

New Delhi: Thirty-two airports across northern and western parts of the country, including Srinagar and Amritsar, have been closed for civilian flight operations till May 15 amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is reportedly in touch with the Ministry of Home Affairs and other relevant agencies. Once they receive the green signal, all these temporarily closed airports will be reopened for passenger flights. It is important to note that the railway services have almost returned to normal. The authorities clarified that the services in Jaisalmer were not halted by them, but were affected due to a blackout declared by the local administration. Now, those services are also returning to normal.

Railways did not suspend services anywhere

The Railways stated that although services at some stations near the border areas were affected, they did not shut down operations anywhere. Now that India and Pakistan have agreed not to initiate military action for the time being, if there are no attacks from Pakistan over the coming Sunday and the next few nights, rail services in the border areas are expected to be fully restored.

Order Likely Soon Regarding Closed Airports

Hindon and 31 other key airports located near border areas have been temporarily closed for passenger flights. As a result, on May 11 alone, 96 domestic flights had to be canceled from Delhi Airport—52 of which were scheduled for takeoff. In contrast, only one international flight was canceled from Delhi on Sunday.

The airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, and Jammu. Other airports are Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), and Leh, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai are the remaining airports to be shut, the release said.

Earlier, at least 24 airports had been ordered shut for civilian flight operations till May 10.

Passengers are eagerly awaiting the reopening of these shut airports. According to sources, an official order in this matter is expected soon. It may include lifting the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) on the 32 closed airports and reopening Indian airspace.

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