Long way for project to get off ground

Kuldip Bhatia

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Ludhiana, December 10

Even though preliminary work to arrange land for the construction of a civilian terminal for an international airport at Air Force Station, Halwara, has been set in motion, the task of acquiring 135.54 acre land needed for the project is easier said than done.

Parminder Singh Gill, chief administrator of the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA), said: “Land in Aitiana village falling in Raikot sub-division has been identified for the acquisition through land-pooling scheme. Under the scheme, instead of cash compensation, developed residential and/or commercial sites are offered to land owners, which cuts down the hassle of litigation, award and enhancement, normally faced under traditional mode of land acquisition.”

But the flipside in land pooling scheme is that all owners of land identified to be taken over have to give their consent and voluntarily offer their land in lieu of developed residential plots or commercial sites.

Gill said GLADA officials and the state Revenue Department would start interaction with land owners and awareness camps would also be organised to apprise them with the benefits of land-pooling scheme.

Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu had claimed that the proposed airport (at Halwara) would be able to take full-fledged operations of Code 4C-type aircrafts (Boeing and Airbus). Sources, however, claim that it would be too early to expect miracles as far as the execution of the Civilian International Airport at Halwara became a reality.

“The MOU is yet to be signed, land has to be arranged with the consent of the land owners and a lot many clearances have to be obtained from various departments, which can take quite some time,” sources said.

Cabinet nod accorded last week

After the Punjab Cabinet accorded its nod for the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) last week, it has been proposed to form a joint venture company (JVC) to execute the project.

As per the modalities, AAI, which would bear the cost of construction of the civilian terminal for the international airport, would hold 51 per cent majority stakes and the state would have 49 per cent equity through GLADA. The government would make its contribution towards the cost of the project by the way of providing required land (135.54 acre) free of cost. After the construction of the terminal and the airport becoming operational, the JVC would be responsible for operations, maintenance and repairs.

Long pending demand

Domestic and international air connectivity of the business and industrial capital of the state has been a long standing demand of the city, which, it seems, have not been accorded the priority that it merited. Presently, a lone Alliance Air flight from Ludhiana to Delhi operates four days a week from Sahnewal domestic airport, that too with small aircrafts – mostly the Twin Turboprop ATR 42 (48 seater) and more often than not being erratic due to inadequate facilities.

Question mark over feasibility

Mohali International Airport 

• Distance from Ludhiana: Nearly 110 km
• Domestic and International flights already operational
• Basic infrastructure already in place
• Road connectivity with Ludhiana very good

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Halwara International Airport (proposed)

• Distance from Ludhiana to proposed access: Nearly 40 km
• Existing Air Force airbase, but numerous NOCs have to be obtained
• Basic infrastructure and terminals have to be constructed
• Road connectivity with proposed access uncertain