The civil aviation sector in Punjab appeared all set for a take off as the Centre on Friday agreed to accelerate clearances for Mohali International Airport. Also, it considered the state’s plea for allowing civil terminals at Adampur and Bhisiana (Bathinda) airports and support the state’s efforts for setting up flying clubs and pilot and cabin crew academies in Punjab. The Centre and the Airport Authority of India have already given the in principle approval to the international airport.
While Bathinda air linkage assumes significance in the light of work on Guru Gobind Singh Bathinda Refinery gaining momentum and setting up of a world-class cricket stadium, efforts to get a civilian terminal in the NRI heartland at Adampur in Doaba comes in the wake of the state’s initiatives for Punjabi NRIs.
Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday called upon the Union defence minister AK Antony in New Delhi and urged him to ensure an early issuance of No Objection Certificate (NOC) to international airport project. The clearance for the landing of civilian international flights is necessary as the project is contiguous to the Air Force station in Chandigarh for using its airstrip. Most of these clearances relate to the ministry of defence.
It may be recalled here that a Memorandum of Understanding between the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the Punjab government for this project had already been finalised. The MoU is likely to be signed as soon as the basic formalities on acquisition are completed.
The chief minister also sought the defence ministry’s go-ahead for the extension of the runway to 10,500 feet, building a parallel taxi way and shifting of the missile site.
The international flights could start operating from the present airstrip if the Centre agreed to extend watch hours at Air Force Station.