DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora, accompanied by Ludhiana residents, municipal councillors, and industrialists, visited Halwara Airport on Sunday to review the ongoing progress of work. During his visit, he toured the airport premises and expressed complete satisfaction with the work completed so far.

MP Arora noted that the project had been stalled for nearly thirty years and lamented that representatives of previous state governments had failed to complete it. He added that after becoming a Rajya Sabha MP, he immediately prioritized the project. With the support of AAP's National Convener Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the project is now 100% complete at a cost of approximately Rs. 60 crores.

Calling it a dream project of Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, Arora explained that, as per the initial design, a barbed wire fence had been erected around the airport. However, during an AAI inspection in March this year, it was decided to replace the barbed wire with a concrete boundary wall. He mentioned that the AAI team also made a few other suggestions, which are currently being implemented and are likely to be

completed soon.

He informed that the next AAI inspection visit is scheduled for April 30. Once the airport is handed over to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by the Public Works Department, the process of deputing staff will begin.

Initially, the AAI plans to operate two flights?one each in the morning and afternoon. These flights will connect Ludhiana via Delhi with Europe, as well as countries like the US, Canada, and Australia. Arora emphasized that this connectivity would provide a significant boost to the economy of the entire Punjab region, especially the Malwa belt and Ludhiana. He expressed hope that flight operations would commence within the next two to three months.

He also shared that the airport has been allotted the code "HWR." Regarding the naming of the airport, he clarified that the state government can only recommend a name, while final approval rests with the Centre.

In response to questions, Arora stated that the airport is equipped with a CAT-II system, which enhances its operational efficiency under low-visibility conditions. He further mentioned that the taxiway has the capacity to park two aircraft at a time and that the existing infrastructure can comfortably accommodate around 12 flights per day. However, he assured that there is ample provision for future expansion.

The industrialists and municipal councillors who accompanied MP Arora to Halwara Airport were highly appreciative of him. They gave full credit for the completion of the project to Arora.

(editor@dailyworld.in)