Inauguration of Halwara airport postponed

The much awaited inauguration of the Halwara international airport, which was scheduled to take place on July 27, has been postponed.

No reason has been cited for the postponement.

Officials at the airport said the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had begun preparations for a virtual inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but the same have now been put on hold.

Though no reason has been provided, sources suggest that the preoccupied schedule of the Prime Minister in the Bihar election campaign could be one of the factors responsible for the postponement.

Fatehgarh Sahib MP Amar Singh Boparai, who is also the chairman of the Civil Aviation Committee for Halwara and Sahnewal airports, said the Civil Aviation Ministry of the Centre was yet to give a formal consent and approval for the inauguration of the Halwara airport.

“I have discussed issues related with completion of works at the airport and its inauguration with the Civil Aviation Minister, who informed me that no decision had been taken so far to inaugurate the airport,” said Boparai, maintaining that as per the protocol, he would be taken in loop before finalising any date for the inauguration by the Prime Minister.

Punjab Industries and NRI Affairs Minister Sanjeev Arora had earlier made a formal announcement regarding the virtual inauguration of the airport by the PM on July 27.

When asked about any communication received from the Centre, Jain said all arrangements and preparations were made as per instructions received through the CEO at the airport.

Ludhiana