Controversy reigns large over naming of airport in Adampur

Rachna Khaira

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 3

As the Ludhiana domestic airport became operational yesterday, a controversy has reigned large over the naming of the newly commissioned domestic airport at Adampur.

Interestingly, the state units of the Congress and the BJP are at loggerheads to claim the credit for getting an airport for the Doaba region. Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Vijay Sampla and Congress MP from Jalandhar Santokh Chaudhary met officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation on various occasions to name the airport after Guru Ravidass.

However, sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation said after the controversy erupted between the Punjab and Haryana governments over naming the Chandigarh airport after Shaheed Bhagat Singh and RSS leader Mangal Sein, the ministry was in no mood to name the Adampur airport at present. The civil air terminal at the Chandigarh airport was inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi on September 11 last year.

“The Prime Minister was miffed over the controversy that erupted between the Punjab and Haryana governments over the name of Chandigarh Airport. So, it may be possible that the Adampur airport might also be operated without any name for some time,” said sources in the ministry. They also said due to the controversy, the provision to name a domestic airport had been removed in the newly launched regional aviation policy.

Sources said now, Air India had refused to fly in the region owing to its dwindling fiscal condition. However, the ministry has initiated talks with some private airlines, including Spice, to commence a flight between Adampur and New Delhi.

Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner Varinder Sharma said the state government was almost through with its tasks on the terminal, including land acquisitions, water and electricity connections and the construction of the approach road to the terminal.

“Water and electricity connections are done and the work on the approach road will be completed within a week,” added Sharma.

He said the state government had given Rs 76 lakh out of which Rs 33 lakh was spent for the construction of the approach road, Rs 33 lakh on the boring of water connection, Rs 10 lakh for the installation of electricity connections at the airport.

The state government has also handed over 37 acres to the Airport Authority of India.

Presently, a portable cabin for the Adampur airport is being constructed in New Delhi. The cabin will have check in, arrival and departure facilities. It is expected to be installed at the airport by the next week.

Vijay Sampla said Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley would inaugurate the first flight from Adampur on September 25.