With start of flights from Halwara Airport, area to be developed as business hub: Dr Amar Singh

Aitiana (Ludhiana): Fatehgarh Sahib MP Dr Amar Singh took stock of the arrangements related to the construction of International Civil Terminal at Halwara Airport by visiting village Aitiana today and issued necessary directions to the officials. He was also accompanied by Raikot SDM Dr Himanshu Gupta, Senior Youth Congress leader Mr Kamil Boparai, OSD Mr Jagpreet Singh Buttar, besides several others.
While providing information, Dr Amar Singh informed that with the start of international flights from Halwara Airport, the Raikot Assembly constituency would develop as a business hub, that would boost the economy of the state. He said that with the start of this airport, investment by NRIs and other corporate houses would increase, that would generate thousands of employment avenues for area youth. He said that they would also make efforts to ensure that the area also develops as a tourism hub, for which he would hold a meeting with the tourism department shortly. On this occasion, he also thanked Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
He informed that the 161.2703-acre land required for the construction of this the civil terminal has already been acquired and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has taken possession of the said land. He said that they would try to get the construction of runway completed on priority basis along with the construction of the terminal building so that the international flights can start operating from here soon.
He informed that in lieu of the acquired land, the farmers have been paid a compensation of Rs 20,61,314 per acre (including 100% solatium, 12% AP and 1.25 multiplier factor). Besides, each eligible family would also be paid Rs 5,50,000 as rehabilitation and resettlement amount.
The Government of Punjab and the Airport Authority of India had signed the Agreement for a Joint Venture for setting up New Civil and Cargo International Air Terminal at the land of Aitiana village in Tehsil Raikot at IAF Station Halwara, Ludhiana. The coming up of this International Airport would boost economic development, would generate employment opportunities and bring in tourism in the area.
It is pertinent to mention that with the construction of this International Airport, long pending demand of the Ludhiana residents would be fulfilled. The Punjab government is making efforts to ensure that this airport becomes operational in the next two and a half years. In the first phase of the project, which will include the development of a new international civil terminal over an area of 135.54 acres for full-fledged operations up to Code-4C type aircraft.
The Fatehgarh Sahib MP informed that the project shall be implemented through a Joint Venture Company (JVC) is formed with the majority stake of 51% of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and 49% stake of the State Government through the Greater Ludhiana Development Authority (GLADA).