Work on International Airport at Halwara to start in two-week time: DC

Aitiana (Ludhiana): Deputy Commissioner Mr Varinder Sharma today said that the work on the international airport coming up at Halwara would start in two week time. He said that the road leading to the airport site would be widened and the PWD (B&R) officials have been directed to start the work on the boundary wall of the international airport at the earliest.
    The Deputy Commissioner today visited the site where the civil terminal of the international airport is to come up and issued necessary directions to the concerned officials. He was also accompanied by ADC (Jagraon) Mrs Neeru Katyal Gupta, SDM Raikot Dr Himanshu Gupta, besides several others.
    While providing information, he said that with the start of international flights from Halwara Airport, the area would develop as a business hub, that would boost the economy of the state.
    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 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).