Chandigarh: The many defunct airports in the region north of Delhi are likely to get much needed wings with Union finance minister Arun Jaitley setting aside between Rs 50 crore and Rs 100 crore each for such facilities to improve regional air connectivity. Even Shimla - despite being a popular tourist destination - has a non-functional airport.
At present, six airports in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are defunct despite huge investments by the state governments. This includes the airports at Ludhiana - Punjab's industrial capital - and Pathankot. In fact, the Pathankot facility was inaugurated as late as 2006 but has remained non-operational for the past 10 years.
The central government had also announced in 2013 to make Karnal and Hisar airports in Haryana operational but nothing has been done so far.
Besides improving regional connectivity, the finance minister is hoping that this will boost the regional economy as well.
01/03/16 Times of India
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At present, six airports in Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh are defunct despite huge investments by the state governments. This includes the airports at Ludhiana - Punjab's industrial capital - and Pathankot. In fact, the Pathankot facility was inaugurated as late as 2006 but has remained non-operational for the past 10 years.
The central government had also announced in 2013 to make Karnal and Hisar airports in Haryana operational but nothing has been done so far.
Besides improving regional connectivity, the finance minister is hoping that this will boost the regional economy as well.
01/03/16 Times of India
