Halwara International Airport Progresses Towards Completion, Set To Enhance Punjab’s Air Connectivity

The construction of the upcoming international airport in Halwara is on track and would be completed soon, according to Rajya Sabha member of Parliament Sanjeev Arora.

The Rajya Sabha MP recently visited the project site along with the senior officials associated with the development of the international aviation facility to review the ongoing construction work, reports Hindustan Times.

During the visit, they discussed various aspects of the airport, including aircraft parking, runway connectivity, air-conditioning and lighting systems, CCTV cameras, firefighting arrangements, power connection, and security measures by the Punjab Police once the airport is operational, parking space, entrance and outer elevation of building of terminals.

The international airport is located 40 km from Ludhiana, and is expected to be completed by September this year, according to earlier reports.

The project has already been delayed due to various reasons, missing two deadlines of January and June 2022 in the past, and the officials have been instructed to ensure that no further deadlines are missed for its completion.

The construction work of the project was divided into two parts — construction of internal roads, estate public health services and campus lighting, and construction of airport terminal building at Air Force Station in Halwara — which is one of the oldest frontline airbases of the Indian Air Force (IAF), close to Ludhiana.

The airport terminal will provide connectivity to the Army area, and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) will take over once the construction is complete.

Further, Arora said not only the business community of Ludhiana but of whole of the state has its eyes on the project.

Once operational, the airport will provide ease of air travel for industrialists and students of Ludhiana and nearby districts.

As part of the airport's improvements, the taxiway is currently being widened. Additionally, the approach-way from inside the terminal complex will be connected to the runway at the IAF station.

The facility is one among the several aviation advancements that are underway in the country with the aim to enhance domestic and international connectivity for passengers and cargo transportation. (more on India's aviation growth)