Jammu and Kashmir tourism department and industry are angry at "high" air fares on Kashmir circuit, fearing that this would destroy the state's tourism season and are seeking the intervention by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the interest of the nation.

The state tourism department and the industry say the prices have been increased just when the peak season for visiting the valley was approaching. "It is unfortunate that airlines are increasing air fares to and fro Kashmir valley. As a result of this, the tourism industry will suffer," Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Director Farooq Shah said here. He said the air fares were "substantially high" and continuing to rise, even touching Rs 17,000 one way between Delhi and Srinagar which was more than that between Delhi and Malaysia or Singapore.

"The rates cannot be fixed arbitrarily. There should be some ceiling on the fares," he said, adding that the high rates would badly affect tourist flow to the valley during the peak summer season. President of Travel Agents Society of Kashmir Abdul Khaliq Wangnoo alleged that the airlines were taking "undue advantage" of the situation since there is no rail link to Kashmir and the only alternate mode of travel is by bus. "We have only two-three months of peak tourist season but such high rates would badly affect the inflow," he said.

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