Regular Flight Operations Will Not Only Benefit People but Also Boost Investment in Punjab
Jagdeep Singh, Jagraon, May 20
The commencement of flight operations from Halwara Airport marks the beginning of a new era of economic growth, connectivity and development for Punjab, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann asserting that the long-pending project, completed through the deter-mined efforts and financial commitment of the Punjab Government, will accelerate trade, industry, investment and employment across the region. Visiting the airport terminal along with AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for the first time after flight operations began, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann interacted with people and said the airport becoming operational reflects the Punjab Government’s com-mitment to strengthening infrastructure and bringing world-class facilities to the state. Highlighting that the Punjab Government spent nearly ₹54.67 crore on the development of the airport, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said regular flight operations from Halwara will not only provide major convenience to the people of Punjab but will also open new avenues for industrial investment and business activity in the state.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to honouring the legacy of freedom fight-ers and great saints, the Chief Minister said that after persistent efforts led to Mohali Airport being named after Shaheed Bhagat Singh and Adampur Airport being named after Sri Guru Ravidas Maharaj Ji, the Halwara Airport should now be named after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, adding that he will raise the matter with the Centre.
Interacting with people during his visit to the airport, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Due to strenuous efforts of the Punjab Government, the air-port has now been made operational. The sole motive behind this move is to ensure that people of the state have access to safe, affordable and comfortable air travel.” He added, “This airport will help in easy movement of entrepreneurs, traders and industrialists from the region as well as other parts of the country to Punjab, thereby boosting trade, commerce and economic activity.”
Highlighting the difficulties faced earlier, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “In the absence of direct flights to Delhi-NCR, people, especially industrialists, had to face immense inconvenience while travelling to the nation-al capital by road. This not only caused undue harass-ment but also led to huge wastage of time, money and energy.” He further stated, “The operationalisation of this airport will greatly facili-tate the people of the region and also attract leading entrepreneurs from across the globe to make large investments in Punjab.”
Expressing confidence over the airport’s economic impact, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “This airport will act as a catalyst in accelerat-ing industrialisation in Punjab and further establish the state as the most pre-ferred investment destina-tion.” Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to improving connectivity, he said, “More flights will soon be started from Halwara air-port to facilitate passengers. Enhanced air connectivity will further strengthen eco-nomic activity in Punjab and play a key role in the progress of the state and prosperity of its people.”
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government would strongly pursue with the Government of India the demand to name Halwara airport after leg-endary martyr Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha. CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha laid down his life for the nation at the young age of just 19 years. His supreme sacrifice inspired millions of people to fight against British imperialism.”
