Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Social Justice & Empowerment, Sh. B.L. Verma said that before the formation of the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi in 2014, only 74 airports were operational in the country. Today, that number has increased to 164.
He expressed confidence that the newly constructed Domestic Airport (Civil Enclave) at Ambala Cantonment would become the country's 165th operational airport and that flight services would commence from the facility very soon. Sh. Verma was speaking to media representatives after inspecting the newly built Domestic Airport (Civil Enclave) in Ambala Cantonment. Haryana Energy Minister Sh.Anil Vij was also present on the occasion.
He said that under the leadership of Energy, Transport and Labour Minister Sh. Anil Vij, a new chapter of development is being written in Ambala Cantonment. He congratulated Sh. Vij, the Chief Minister, the Prime Minister, and all concerned departments, officers, and engineers for their contributions to this significant project.
During the inspection, Sh. Anil Vij informed the Union Minister that the military airbase at Ambala Cantonment is among the oldest and most strategically important airbases in the country. Owing to its strategic significance, even the British had chosen Ambala as an airbase during their rule.
Sh. Vij further stated that the runway constructed at Ambala Cantonment is equipped with modern facilities, enabling safe aircraft operations round the clock and under all weather conditions. He informed that the domestic airport has been developed over approximately 20 acres and is expected to serve as an important aviation hub for passengers from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and surrounding regions.
He also informed the Union Minister that Ambala Cantonment is one of North India’s major railway junctions, with around 276 trains arriving and departing daily. Millions of passengers from Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and other states travel through the junction.
The commencement of airport operations will significantly strengthen regional connectivity. Sh. Vij further said that several airline companies have already applied to operate flights from the Ambala Domestic Airport. According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, there are no technical obstacles to starting flight services from the airport.
He added that arrangements for aircraft parking bays for domestic flights have also been finalized. Only a few minor works remain, which are expected to be completed within the next week. Thereafter, the airport will be fully ready for operations.
Among those present on the occasion were SDM Kanika Goyal, Municipal Council Chairperson Swarn Kaur, Vice-Chairperson Lalta Prasad, along with BJP leaders Kapil Vij, Sanjeev Walia, Vipin Khanna, Sanjeev Soni, Rajeev Gupta, Vijender Chauhan, Kiranpal Chauhan, Jasbir Jassi, Ajay Baveja, Pravesh Sharma, Ravi Budhiraja, Harsh Bindra, Vikas Bahgal, Ashish Aggarwal, Bharat Kochhar, Fakir Chand Saini, Varinder Singh, Subhash Sharma, Sunil Nadaria, Iqbal Dhanda, Surender Sehgal, Raj Kumar Raja, Raju Bali, Lalit, Surender Sehgal Gopi, Anil Bahl, Anil Nagar, and a large number of party office-bearers and workers.