Vij urges Centre to shift Chandigarh airport traffic to Ambala Cantt

Even as the inauguration of the domestic airport in Ambala Cantonment remains pending, Cabinet Minister Anil Vij has urged the Union Civil Aviation Minister to explore the possibility of shifting flight operations from Chandigarh Airport to Ambala for the convenience of passengers.

According to officials, Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, will remain closed for flight operations from October 26 (1 am) to November 7 (11.59 pm) due to polymer modified emulsion work planned on the runway. The airfield will not be available for fixed-wing aircraft operations during this period.

Speaking to The Tribune, Vij said, “The Chandigarh airport is to be closed for a few days due to repair works, and it will cause inconvenience to the passengers as there is no other airport from Delhi to Amritsar which can be used in this situation. The domestic airport in Ambala is ready and all the equipment have been installed. I have sent a letter to the Civil Aviation Minister to examine the airport in Ambala and explore the possibility of shifting the flights to Ambala. If the flights can be shifted, it will come as a big respite because the passengers can travel to Chandigarh from Ambala very easily.”

He said, “The aviation department officials should visit the airport and if any changes are required then it should be made. Though the domestic airport is not that big, it can handle the traffic and at least the domestic flights can be operated from here till the airport in Chandigarh resumes operations.”

In August, Vij had informed that Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had given his consent for the inauguration of the Ambala Cantonment Airport, though the date is yet to be decided. The initial flight routes proposed include Ambala-Ayodhya, Ambala-Lucknow, Ambala-Jammu and Ambala-Srinagar.

Highlighting the Defence Minister’s role in facilitating the project, Vij said, “Defence Minister Rajnath Singh played an important role in the construction of the airport as the land required belonged to the Army. He helped in providing that land. Therefore, I had requested him to inaugurate the airport and he agreed.”

He further said correspondence to finalise the inauguration date had been delayed due to unfavourable weather conditions and rains, but he would soon take up the matter again to expedite the process.

“An assistant manager (Operations) has already been appointed and the remaining staff will be transferred to Ambala before starting the operations,” Vij said.