Vij seeks Defence Minister’s assistance for airport project

Tribune News Service

Ambala, December 6

Haryana Home and Health Minister Anil Vij today met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Delhi to request his intervention and convene a high-level meeting to sort out the issue regarding land required for the domestic airport in Ambala Cantonment. 

Under the Udan 3.0 Scheme of the Centre, a domestic airport was approved for Ambala Cantonment. The Air Force runway was to be used for domestic flights. The proposed civil airport in Ambala Cantonment will have flights to Srinagar and Lucknow. 

As the much awaited project hit a roadblock, Vij sent a DO letter to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in September this year.

“The Centre Government has approved a domestic airport in Ambala Cantonment. The strip of the Indian Air Force station is to be used for the civil airport. The Airports Authority of India wants to start flights at the earliest. Meetings have been held at the local level, but there are some issues, which couldn’t be sorted out at the local level,” said Vij. “Rajnath Singh has assured that he will soon look into this matter and convene a high-level meeting with officials in which I will also remain present,” added Vij.

The Haryana Government will provide land parcel of approximately 25 acres contiguous to the IAF land for construction of apron, terminal building, car parking and other allied infrastructure required for the establishment of the civil enclave. 

Vij also met Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and raised the matter of a proposed ring road and an underpass near Shastri Colony, near the National Highway. “A ring road has been approved for Ambala Cantonment, but the project is hanging fire. Gadkari has instructed officials to look into the matter and resolve both the issues,” said Vij.