Patiala runway to be expanded

Amaninder Pal

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, February 27

The Patiala civil air terminal can become the third civil airport in the state to accommodate landing large passenger aircraft.

The government has begun the process to double the length of the existing 3,800 feet airstrip. At present, the airport is only being used to fly small aircraft, which are being operated by flying clubs.

Presently, only Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar and Ludhiana Airport are equipped with a runway large enough to land passenger aircraft.

Sources said since Patiala airport is surrounded by an army cantonment, the state Directorate of Civil Aviation had recently approached the Ministry of Defence to allow the state government to increase the runway’s length to 7,000 feet at least.

Sources said the Punjab had also sought a chunk of land from the defence establishment to extend the runway.

“We have assessed the feasibility of extension and the report is positive. But the airport is hemmed in by the cantonment. Therefore, we have sought both consent and large chunk of land from the ministry. We are awaiting their approval,” said a senior civil aviation official.

Officials said the idea behind extension of runaway was not only to equip the airport for landing of large commercial aircraft but to develop it as centre for maintenance of such aircrafts in north India.

“If the scheme in fulfilled, Maintenance and Repair Organisations (MRO), private agencies specialising in maintenance of commercial aircrafts, will have option to set up their bases at Patiala. It will cut both ways. Airlines will be able to avail of cheap maintenance and Punjab will be able to earn revenue from these operations”, added an official.

Significantly, the state has also recently decided to set up Punjab State Aeronautical Engineering College in the premises of Patiala air terminal.