After the way has been paved for the construction of the international civil terminal at Halwara Airport, Ludhiana MP Mr Ravneet Singh Bittu has thanked Punjab government and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh for this prestigious project. He assured that the international flights from Halwara Airport are expected to take off soon and it would give a new direction to the development of Ludhiana and other adjoining areas.He informed that the 161.2703-acre land required for the construction of this the civil terminal has already been acquired and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has taken possession of the said land. He said that they would try to get the construction of runway completed on priority basis along with the construction of the terminal building so that the international flights can start operating from here soon.Mr Bittu informed that in lieu of the acquired land, the farmers have been paid a compensation of Rs 20,61,314 per acre (including 100% solatium, 12% AP and 1.25 multiplier factor). Besides, each eligible family would also be paid Rs 5,50,000 as rehabilitation and resettlement amount.
After completing all the formalities, GLADA had announced award number 13, dated February 7, 2020, and the land was acquired in the presence of landowners and village residents in a peaceful manner and with their consent on May 22, 2020.The Government of Punjab and the Airport Authority of India had signed the Agreement for a Joint Venture for setting up New Civil and Cargo International Air Terminal at the land of Aitiana village in Tehsil Raikot at IAF Station Halwara, Ludhiana. The coming up of this International Airport would boost economic development, would generate employment opportunities and bring in tourism in the area.It is pertinent to mention that with the construction of this International Airport, long pending demand of the Ludhiana residents would be fulfilled. The Punjab government is making efforts to ensure that this airport becomes operational in the next two and a half years. In the first phase of the project, which will include the development of a new international civil terminal over an area of 135.54 acres for full- fledged operations up to Code-4C type aircraft.The Ludhiana MP informed that the project shall be implemented through a Joint Venture Company (JVC) is formed with the majority stake of 51% of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and 49% stake of the State Government through the Greater Ludhiana Development Authority (GLADA).