Malik reviews airport projects

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, September 2

Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport received crores of rupees as grant for various development projects from the Central Government in the past two years, said Rajya Sabha MP Shwait Malik during his visit to the airport today.

Due to the efforts of the BJP-led Central Government, the number of flights, footfall of passengers and revenue of the airport have been increasing, he said. Malik presided over a review meeting with airport authorities on projects worth Rs 200 crore.

While interacting with media, he alleged that the Congress-led state government had deliberately ignored the airport, which was upgraded to international airport by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2000. It was a conspiracy of the UPA government that they diverted the flights to the New Delhi airport.

“Amritsar airport accommodates three states — Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. These states have good agro-based economy. But the cargo planes avoided landing here because the runway was not appropriate. I have initiated making efforts to upgrade the airport and managed funds worth Rs 63 crore for strengthening the runway. Secondly, air carriers often cancel flights due to foggy weather so we have installed CAT-IIIB lighting system,” he said.

Meanwhile, airport director Manoj Chansoriya gave a presentation on the ongoing projects. The airport authorities are going to construct lodges, food court, duty-free shops, play section for children, commercial showrooms, spa and salons on the first floor of the building which has been lying vacant.

Malik asked the airport authorities to make a proposal to construct a waiting hall for the relatives of passengers, who are forced to sit on the ground outside the airport.