The political controversy going on to name the new Air terminal at Mohali is painful and it should end immediately by naming it on our Guru’s Kin Sahibzada Ajit Singh’s name as this martyr is the real owners in the revenue record as the land of the Airport belongs to Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar now stated Dr.Paramjeet Singh Ranu National Chief of Sehajdhari Sikh Party. The National Executive Council of the Sehajdhari Sikh Party has resolved and written to the Prime Minister and both the CM’s that it should be named as “Sahibzada Ajit Singh International Airport” to end all the controversies and Politics on the name of Airport.
The issue of naming the terminal is in controversy since last few months which has intensified after the CM of Haryana Sh. Manohar Lal Khattar proposed it to be named after Dr.Mangal Sein, a previous deputy CM of Haryana and Jan Sangh leader. For the last several years, Punjab government has been trying to get the airport named after the Martyr Bhagat Singh. Several discussions were held between Haryana and Punjab Governments, however no consensus ever took place. The former CM Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda after objecting a few times, even agreed to the name "Bhagat Singh International Airport Chandigarh", a slight variation to the name "Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Bhagat Singh International Airport Mohali" - which was proposed by the Punjab government earlier.Punjab government then proposed to add "Mohali" to the name and once again the matter ended up in a stalemate. Since Punjab and Haryana both own an equal stake in the airport, Central government decided that the airport cannot be named until both the governments reach a consensus. Even after waiting for several years, there are no international flights in sight at the airport in Mohali. A common man is more interested in having proper facilities at the airport than the name. Several hundred crores of Rupees have been spent at the new airport, yet the overall result remains the same as the airport only operates domestic flights.
There were several reasons in the last years for not operating international flights including the Night landing not available, Lack of adequate staff, Runway needs to be upgraded , Instrument Landing System needs to be upgraded, Airlines in the process of preparation Approval needed from Ministry of Defence etc. The concerned authorities should focus more on addressing the core issue i.e. lack of international flights than renaming the airport - which requires both Haryana and Punjab governments to meet together and resolve amicably, keeping in view the sentiments of the people as well.
No political party or organization will have any objection on the name of Sahibzada Ajit Singh as the sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh and his family is the higest ever sacrifice till date in the world and we hope that both the States will definitely have a census on this name as the Airport is situated on the land of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar said Dr.Ranu. He said the Adminstration should also mend its way in publicizing this city as SAS Nagar instead of Mohali on the sign boards because Mohali is a simple village like Matour, Kumbra Sohana etc and we must realize the sacrifice and blessings of our Gurus and honour the name which has been duly notified by the State Govt. This name shall add a grace to the religious sanctity of the city too if accepted on map of this International Airport.