Punjab pushes hard for Sahnewal airport

Chandigarh: The Punjab government has stepped up efforts to ensure that its plans for an international airport at Sahnewal (Ludhiana) shape up fast. After a meeting with the executive director of Airport Authority of India (AAI) early last month, Punjab Chief Secretary R.I. Singh has written a demi-official letter to the Secretary, Civil Aviation, Government of India, for pursuing the matter with the AAI to expedite the feasibility survey at the airport.
Yesterday again, an official of the Punjab Civil Aviation Department took up the matter with the AAI, said sources. “We spoke to AAI on Monday. The AAI team is expected to come soon to undertake the survey,’’ a state government official said.
After plans for Halwara were grounded last year, while the Punjab government has kept its options open, though with a rider, on the proposal to develop Chandigarh airport as an international one, the state government is more keen on seeing Sahnewal turning into a reality. “For us, the Chandigarh airport plans are very much alive,’’ said Punjab Chief Secretary R.I. Singh, talking to ENS. “The only point is that since the facility will be used by other states, including UT, all should share the burden,’’ he said.
01/05/07 Gautam Dheer/Chandigarh Newsline

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Categories: Airports May 2007, New May 2007