International flights will soon be able to arrive and depart from the airport at Jammu and Kashmir's summer capital Srinagar, following a government decision Thursday to designate it an international airport.

One of the most hypersensitive airports of the country located in the insurgency-plagued Kashmir Valley, Srinagar airport is currently undergoing a sweeping makeover besides acquiring new gadgets to insulate it from terror attacks.

One of India's first centrally heated airports located at 1,700 metres above sea level, Srinagar airport is also going for a modular design at a cost of Rs.1.3 billion ($28.9 million).

Srinagar is a gateway to the Kashmir Valley, nestled in the Karakoram, Zanskar and Pir Panjal ranges of the Himalayas.

The airport connects the militant-affected area with the mainland and is a departure point for Haj pilgrims.

After its revamp, the airport will have colour luggage scanners, vehicle scanners and explosive detection devices as part of a three-tier security cover.
 
In recent months, there has been a surge in tourist arrivals in the picturesque valley though security concerns remain due to the dragging insurgency that erupted in 1989.