PM lays foundation stone for
airport expansion

Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Friday laid the foundation stone for expansion of the Srinagar airport, saying it required to be given international status in the days to come.

At the first function shortly after he arrived here on a two-day visit, the prime minister said the expansion of the airport terminal was part of efforts to ensure that planes flew to greater number of destinations from Srinagar.

The prime minister lit a lamp at the foundation laying ceremony at the Civil Enclave airport terminal. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah and Civil Aviation Minister Syed Shahnawaz Hussain were among others present on the occasion.