Highway Blockages Trigger Airfare Surge Across Kashmir
By: Javid Amin | 06 September 2025
The Price of Connectivity in Kashmir
Connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir has always been fragile. The Jammu–Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), the lifeline connecting the Valley with the rest of India, is notoriously prone to landslides, avalanches, and shooting stones. Each time the highway is blocked, daily life, business, tourism, and healthcare access in Kashmir grind to a halt.
In such moments, air travel becomes the only option. But instead of relief, Kashmiris often face another hurdle: exorbitant airfare hikes. Over the years, airlines have been accused of exploiting emergencies by increasing ticket prices multiple times above normal.
The situation has drawn strong criticism, including from senior political leaders like Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who recently accused airlines of exploiting people during road closures. The issue has now taken on a socioeconomic, political, and moral dimension.
This article examines the patterns of exploitation, the human impact, the defense of airlines, and why the newly inaugurated Katra–Srinagar train service may be a game-changer for the Valley.
Understanding the Crisis: Why Kashmir Is Vulnerable
The Geography of Dependence
Kashmir’s geography makes it uniquely dependent on fragile transport links:
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NH-44 (Jammu–Srinagar Highway): The only all-weather road, yet often blocked for days.
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Air Travel: Limited flights and high seasonal demand.
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Railways: Until 2025, Kashmir had no full rail link to the rest of India.
Every time the highway closes, dependency shifts to airlines, creating a monopoly-like situation.
Frequency of Closures
According to government data, the Jammu–Srinagar Highway remains closed for 40–50 days annually on average due to:
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Landslides in Ramban–Banihal sector
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Heavy snowfall in Qazigund–Banihal stretch
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Floods or sudden road washouts
👉 Each closure triggers a price surge in air travel, affecting every section of society.
The Pattern of Exploitation — Airlines Under Fire
Soaring Fares During Highway Blockages
Normally, airfare from Srinagar to Jammu or Delhi ranges between ₹3,500–₹6,000. However, during highway disruptions:
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Prices surge to ₹12,000–₹15,000 or more
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Last-minute tickets sometimes exceed ₹20,000
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Limited capacity and high demand make it worse
Who Suffers the Most?
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Patients: Medical emergencies force families to pay whatever it takes.
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Students: Many studying outside the Valley face blocked journeys.
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Small traders: Perishable goods get stuck, and traders lose customers or pay extra to fly.
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Tourists: Budget travelers cancel trips, hurting the local economy.
👉 Critics argue this is not just economics of demand and supply but exploitation during crisis.
Airlines’ Defense
Airlines often cite:
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Dynamic pricing models (AI-based fare adjustments)
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Limited seats vs. high demand
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Operational costs during winter
But critics counter that emergency pricing crosses the line into profiteering.
Farooq Abdullah’s Sharp Critique
National Conference President and former CM, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, recently lashed out at airlines, saying:
“This is exploitation of the people when the roads close. Airfares shoot up, and common Kashmiris are left helpless.”
He framed the issue as both:
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A humanitarian concern, since patients and ordinary travelers suffer
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A structural failure, since airlines enjoy monopoly power during crises
Farooq also praised the Katra–Srinagar rail link, calling it a historic intervention that will:
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Break airlines’ monopoly
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Reduce travel costs
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Boost tourism and horticulture exports
👉 His remarks resonate with many Kashmiris who feel trapped between blocked highways and expensive flights.
Socioeconomic Impact of Airfare Gouging
01. For Households
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Increased financial strain during emergencies
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Families forced to delay travel for weddings, funerals, or education
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Emotional stress when medical travel becomes unaffordable
02. For Businesses
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Small traders, especially in horticulture and handicrafts, lose competitive edge
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Tourists cancel bookings → hospitality sector loses crores
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Logistic delays increase cost of essential commodities in Kashmir
03. For Healthcare
Perhaps the most tragic impact:
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Patients traveling to Delhi, Chandigarh, or Mumbai for advanced treatment face unaffordable costs
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Sometimes, families must borrow money or sell assets to afford emergency flights
👉 Airfare gouging isn’t just an economic issue — it becomes a social injustice.
Rail Connectivity as a Game-Changer
Katra–Srinagar Train Service
The newly inaugurated train line connecting Katra (Jammu) to Srinagar is hailed as a historic milestone:
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For the first time, Kashmir is linked to the Indian Railways network
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Predictable, regulated fares — not subject to weather or demand spikes
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Safe, all-weather connectivity reducing dependence on airlines
Economic Benefits
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Tourism: Affordable access encourages middle-class families across India to visit Kashmir
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Horticulture: Faster, cheaper transport for apples, walnuts, and saffron to national markets
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Employment: Boost for hospitality, trade, and logistics sectors
Social Benefits
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Families can travel for education, weddings, and healthcare without anxiety
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Students and professionals can commute with confidence
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Sense of psychological security that Kashmir is no longer cut off
👉 In essence, the train could reshape mobility, affordability, and resilience in Kashmir.
Possible Solutions Beyond Railways
While rail connectivity is promising, additional steps are needed:
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Airfare Regulation: Government intervention to cap prices during emergencies
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Increase Flight Frequency: Temporary special flights when highway closes
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Subsidized Tickets: For patients, students, and emergency travelers
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Stronger Monitoring: DGCA and Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure airlines don’t exploit crises
👉 A multi-modal transport policy is crucial for long-term resilience.
FAQs — What Kashmiris & Travelers Want to Know
Q1: Why do airfares rise so sharply during highway closures?
Because demand spikes suddenly while supply (seats) is limited. Airlines use dynamic pricing, which critics call exploitative.
Q2: Can the government control airfare hikes?
Yes, the government has the power to impose emergency fare caps, but enforcement has been weak.
Q3: How will the Katra–Srinagar train help?
It offers predictable, low-cost travel, reducing dependence on airlines and cutting household travel expenses.
Q4: Will tourism get cheaper?
Yes. Families who avoided Kashmir due to airfare will now consider trains, boosting arrivals.
Q5: Is airfare gouging illegal?
Not strictly — but unethical profiteering during emergencies can be challenged under consumer protection and aviation rules.
The Big Picture — Between Exploitation & Opportunity
The recurring crisis of airfare gouging during highway closures exposes the fragile mobility ecosystem of Kashmir. It reveals how monopolies exploit emergencies, and how ordinary citizens pay the price.
Yet, the railway revolution also signals hope. With affordable rail access, Kashmir can reduce its vulnerability, stimulate its economy, and integrate more strongly with the rest of India.
This is not just about transport. It is about equity, dignity, and opportunity. Kashmiris deserve reliable connectivity that does not punish them during crises.
The story is therefore not only about airlines and pricing. It is about justice, resilience, and the promise of a fairer future.
Conclusion
As Kashmir enters a new chapter with rail connectivity, the issue of airfare exploitation must not be ignored. Airlines must be held accountable, and policies should ensure affordable, reliable, and fair travel options.
The highway will continue to face disruptions, but with proactive regulation, better aviation policies, and the Katra–Srinagar train, Kashmir’s mobility crisis can turn into an opportunity for inclusive growth.
The choice before India is clear: let monopolies exploit vulnerabilities, or build a transport ecosystem that uplifts people, businesses, and the economy.
