Chandigarh International Airport to be operational from June

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 11

Inclement weather will not delay the opening of the Chandigarh International Airport after the carrying out of repair work. It will remain operational from 7 am to 6 pm from June. From July, it will remain operational from 1 pm to 6 pm every Sunday. Information to this effect was given by the Airport Authority before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

As the case came up for resumed hearing before a Division Bench, a status report was placed for perusal by the Air Force authorities.

Among other things, it said work to be carried out during the evening hours was delayed because of the adverse weather conditions during the past few days. In fact, work was lagging behind by four days.

Appearing before the Bench, Assistant Solicitor-General of India Chetan Mittal said opening of the airport would not be delayed. The airport would remain closed from May 12 to 31, as per the schedule announced earlier. A detailed status report on the issue would be placed before the Bench on May 25. The Bench was also told that in an attempt to cover up the time lost, the airport would remain closed on every Sunday.

On the issue of illuminating the airport for night landing, Mittal said work had been initiated. Taking a note of the assertion, the Bench directed that the issue was required to be finalised before the next date of hearing.

Chandigarh International Airport is to remain closed, in accordance with the initial schedule, from May 12 to 31 for ongoing runway upgrade.

The Indian Air Force had initially requested for closure of the airport between May 12 and May 31, or May 14 and June 2 for laying final layers during the re-carpeting process.

The authorities had claimed that the runway length was being extended from the present 9,000 feet to 10,400 feet to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft, such as Boeing 777, 787 and 747 for facilitating long haul flights from Chandigarh to destinations in Europe, the US, Canada and the UK.

The matter had reached the High Court after Mohali Industries Association had filed a petition in public interest, seeking directions to the Union of India to submit a status report on re-carpeting and upgrade of the runway.

No extra coach on morning Shatabdi  

Chandigarh: While the city residents are demanding an additional coach with morning Shatabdi leaving for Delhi, the local railway station authorities have maintained adding extra coach to the train is not possible as the train starts its run from Kalka station. Station Superintendent TP Singh said they couldn’t make a provision for extra coach with the morning Shatabdi. In the wake of the closure of Chandigarh Airport, the local station has provided an additional air-conditioned coach with the afternoon Shatabdi (12045 and 12046) from May 12 to 31. Interestingly, a majority of coaches of the afternoon trains remain empty.

Special fare offer by taxi service

Chandigarh: To facilitate travellers during the 20-day airport closure from May 12 to 31, app-based taxi service provider Ola on Friday announced a special discount code. The code, OLACD, allows travellers to take one-way rides from Chandigarh to Delhi starting at a special fare of Rs 2,399 and OLACL, from Chandigarh to Ludhiana at a starting fare of Rs 799. Customers can also book round trip (Chandigarh-New Delhi-Chandigarh) at just Rs 9/km, Rs 10/km and Rs 13/km for Ola Mini, Prime Sedan and Prime SUV, respectively. They have also the option to schedule their ride seven days in advance or choose to book it just an hour prior to the trip.