Wednesday, June 09, 2021

Halwara international airport to be operational by October 31

Ludhiana: Come November, Ludhiana, known as the Manchester of India, will have its own international airport. Coming up at the Air Force Station in Halwara, which is one of the oldest frontline airbases of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the facility will be made operational by October 31.

A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting, chaired by the Chief Secretary, Vini Mahajan, recently.

Confirming the development, the Chief Secretary told The Tribune that based on the advice of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to the Punjab Civil Aviation Department, two separate tenders — one for the construction of new terminal building and other for the apron — will be floated.

“The PWD has been directed to float the tenders immediately and the same will be awarded after requisite approval from the AAI,” she said.

Mahajan disclosed that the entire funds of Rs 43 crore estimated to be spent on the new airport terminal and apron would be spent by the GLADA and later reimbursed by the AAI.

“Operations from the new airport will be started at the earliest in consultation with the AAI,” added the Chief Secretary, who reviewed the progress of the project at a virtual meeting of the Public Investment Management (PIM) committee on the infrastructure development projects under implementation in the state.

She directed the officials concerned to ensure that the project was completed as per the approved specifications and within the stipulated timeframe.

Sharing the progress report of the ongoing work on the project, which has been marked as project of key concern on the directions of Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma said over 95 per cent construction of boundary wall at the Halwara airport had been completed and it was expected to be completed on schedule by June 10.

09/06/21 Nitin Jain/Tribune

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