BAPL plans airport at Ludhiana, to pump in Rs 3k cr

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Chandigarh, Oct 2: Punjab has received a proposal for opening an international airport from Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited (BAPL). The firm intends to invest around Rs 3,000 crore and has asked for 2, 700 acres of land in Ludhiana.

BAPL is a specialist company promoted by Pragati Social Infrastructure and Development Limited (PSIDL), a joint venture company of HUDCO. PSIDL is BAPL’s largest shareholder. The company has submitted a detailed project report to the state government in this regard. Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation Limited (PSIDC) has signed an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with BAPL assuring land acquisition and help in getting necessary approvals from the concerned departments of the state.

Besides building the airport, the company also plans to come up with modern township with housing on 500 acres, build commercial, institutional and recreational infrastructure on 320 acres. The company has chosen Ludhiana as it is an industrial hub and accommodates many national and international companies. Moreover, cumulative exports from Ludhiana alone have amounted to $82 billion as on March 2007.

It is yet to be seen whether state needs another international airport or not as Punjab already has one international airport in Amritsar and has got the nod for converting Chandigarh airport into international status.

However, Viswajit Khanna, civil aviation secretary, Punjab said a consultant has been appointed in this regard to conduct a feasibility report which is expected to be completed shortly.