Ludhiana: If everything goes as per plan, flights from Halwara airport may start from June next year, said a senior Airport Authority of India (AAI) official in the state.

Meanwhile, the land acquisition authority is expected to complete the process for the project by January-end.

A senior AAI officer said as per the recent directions of the AAI chairman, they would construct a boundary wall around the acquired area by March. He said efforts were being made by the ministry of civil aviation, Punjab, to start flights from Halwara between June and September next year and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) was working on the land acquisition process.

“We are trying to get portable cabins, temporary structures for departure, check-in and arrival halls for passengers. Those will be installed at Halwara after the boundary wall comes up. The deputy commissioner has also suggested to start operations as soon as possible. A high-level meeting was held at AAI headquarters in Delhi recently. GLADA is also in final stages of land acquisition. The authority is expected to finish it by January-end. The land is being acquired in Aittiana village, Raikot subdivision of Ludhiana district,” the AAI official added.

“A procedure has to be followed for land acquisition and it includes studying its impact on society and environment, among others. After issuing a notification, separate notices will be served on every landowner about acquisition and their objections would be sought. Then GLADA will organise a public hearing on January 10 and 11. After discussing with people, the land price will be calculated,” Ludhiana DC Pardeep Aggarwal told The Times of India.

“The final announcement of acquiring land will be made by January 15. The person, whose land comes under the project, should visit the GLADA office, collect money and hand over the possession of his land to the authority. By January 31, we expect to have possession of the land. Acquisition will be done by the Punjab government. The AAI will develop the infrastructure,” the deputy commissioner said.

He added that the AAI has started work and allotted tenders for soil testing to develop the airport design and environment impact assessment report. “Third step is to construct the boundary wall. I have learned that AAI has sought construction estimates from the public works department (PWD). The main issue is that of the terminal and hopefully it will be completed as early as possible. AAI and Air Force have to meet and discuss the start of civil flight operations as the latter’s runway will be used. We have asked them to tie up,” the deputy commissioner said.

Residents, especially businessmen, are eagerly waiting for the start of the airport. “As flights often get cancelled at Sahnewal Airport and Ludhiana is air linked with only one city (New Delhi), the start of international airport at Halwara will be great for the industrial hub. The industry sends and gets goods and raw material from various parts of the country and abroad, so this airport will be a boon for us,” said Daleep Khanna, an industrialist.

‘Demand to determine flights’

A Punjab civil aviation department official said, “We expect multiple flights to take off from the city as Ludhiana is an industrial hub, with its business community dealing with clients from across the country and globe. Demand will determine the flights’ destinations and frequency.”

‘Is equipped with CAT-II landing system’

A senior AAI officer said visibility of 1,500 metres was a must for a flight to land or take off at an airport. “That’s why flights are grounded on foggy days at Sahnewal Airport. However, there will be no such problem at Halwara airport, as it has CAT-II landing system that will enable flights to land even when the visibility is up to 350 metres. The Halwara airport has a runway of 3,000 metres and Sahnewal Airport of around 1,400 meters,” he added.

About the project

On June 12, the Punjab government and the Airport Authority of India had signed an agreement to develop a new civil international air terminal at IAF Station in Halwara.

An official spokesperson had said the project would be implemented through a joint venture company (JVC), which has been formed with the majority stake of 51% of the AAI and 49% of the state government through the Greater Ludhiana Development Authority.

As per the agreement, the AAI would bear all capital expenditures for the development of the new airport, while the state government would provide 135.54 acres of land free of cost and free of all encumbrances for the project. The JVC would bear all expenditure of operation, management and maintenance, including repairs.

