LUDHIANA: City businessmen met minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha and urged for civil flights from
Halwara air force station to facilitate the travellers, most of whom are businessmen.
A delegation that met the minister on Monday evening at New Delhi brought up the issue while discussing the problems being faced by Ludhiana residents due to poor air connectivity with Delhi. The businessmen also gave a memorandum to him, demanding that considering the multiple problems at Sahnewal airport like short runway and lack of advanced equipment, civil flights be allowed to operate from
Halwara air force station without jeopardizing the security of this defence establishment.
Gurmeet Kular, president of Federation of Industrial and Commercial Organizations (Fico) said: “We have demanded that civil flights be allowed from the
Halwara airport, as we are facing a lot of problems due to irregular flight service operating from Sahnewal aiport. We also made him understand how badly the air connectivity issue is taking a toll on the industry and economy of the city. We have now entered an era where the absence of air connectivity is dissuading many from making further or new investments in Ludhiana.
Fico secretary Rajeev Jain, too suggested that the Government of India should consider converting the Halwara airport for both civilian and defence use. He said: “This will be in line with around 22 out of 80 airports which have such dual use in India, and if it can happen elsewhere, then why not in the case of Halwara aiport?” Fico representatives also informed that Jayant Sinha assured the delegation that the dual use of Halwara airport would be notified soon, as Ludhiana is a major manufacturing hub in India, and air connectivity is essential here.
