PM Modi set to inaugurate state's first airport in Hisar

Haryana’s first airport in Hisar is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February-March. Sources said the Saini government was keen to get the airport inaugurated by the PM in this financial year, as the airport infrastructure, including the 3,000-metre runway, required for commencing domestic flights was "almost complete".

Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi will visit Hisar on January 5 to take stock of the progress at the airport. His office is coordinating with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for Modi’s visit. A possible date for the inauguration and PM’s availability would be decided after the review meeting, sources said.

The work at the airport, rechristened Maharaja Agrasen Airport, started in 2014 when the BJP formed the government for the first time in Haryana. The first phase of the work was completed a few years back.

However, the work picked up momentum in 2020, when former CM Manohar Lal Khattar, now Union minister, performed "bhoomi pujan" for the construction of the runway. Besides the runway, a terminal building and all related facilities for cargo and maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility of the aviation ecosystem and the 4,200-acre Integrated Aviation Hub are nearing completion.

The government has already signed an MoU with Alliance Air for operations, and soon flights to various destinations will begin, including Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ayodhya, J&K and Ahmedabad.

This development will benefit not only local residents but also people from Punjab, Rajasthan and other states. The enhanced connectivity is expected to be a milestone in the development of Hisar and will significantly contribute to the state's economy, officials said.

In first phase, flights to Chandigarh, J&K

• The BJP government keen to get the airport inaugurated within this financial year

• Chief Secretary to visit Hisar on January 5 to review work at airport

• 3,000-metre runway, other infrastructure ‘almost complete’ to start domestic flights

• Flights to Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ayodhya, J&K and Ahmedabad planned in first phase