Raju: No controversy over Chandigarh airport’s name

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

Union Minister for Civil Aviation P Ashok Gajapathi Raju today said there was no controversy over the naming of Chandigarh international airport and that a ‘procedure’ for its christening was in place.

Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the inauguration of a skill-development centre at the old airport terminal in Behlana, the Union Minister said, “There is no controversy. There is a process of naming, which has to be followed. The Punjab Government had made a request and the Haryana Government too has made a request. Everyone feels there is no need for a controversy because Shaheed Bhagat Singh is a national hero and not the hero of a small community.”

When asked whether it meant that the airport would be named after Shaheed-e-Azam, Raju’s reply was cut short by MP Kirron Kher, who said, “What is wrong with Chandigarh? Don’t you like Chandigarh as the name of the airport?”

The Punjab Government had demanded that the airport should be named as ‘Shaheed-e-Azam Sardar Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali’ and passed a resolution for the same in the Assembly.

The Haryana Government had objected to the use of ‘Mohali’ in the airport’s name.

Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra said, “The name could be Chandigarh Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali..” 

At this, Kirron said, “Yeh naam hai ke chitthi (Is it a name or a letter?); it is too long.”

Earlier, the Union Minister said India was the fastest growing domestic aviation market and the government remained committed to making flying accessible under UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme by reviving unserved and underserved airports. “Under two rounds of auctions in UDAN, we aim to connect to 80 destinations. Over 900 aircraft are expected to be inducted in the coming years and many more destinations would be connected.”

When asked the reason behind a fewer direct flights from Chandigarh to northern states, the minister said 

economic viability and demand were crucial determinants, saying that sometimes growth varied in a region, citing that Bhuntar and Kangra airports were active while Shimla airport in Himachal Pradesh remained relatively inactive. 

The Union minister said the aviation sector had a multiplier effect in terms of investment in other sectors. 

Flight to Nanded

Anandpur Sahib MP Prem Singh Chandumajra claimed that the minister had assured of starting a direct flight from Chandigarh to Nanded soon. “I have been informed that after the runway repair work is concluded, a direct flight to Nanded would become operational from Chandigarh.”