The terminal building of Halwara international airport, near Ludhiana in Punjab, might be ready by July-end as around 75% work has been completed so far, officials said. Officials of PWD, which is getting the project executed, said the entire project is expected to be completed by September-end.
A site engineer of the private company involved in terminal building work said the construction is almost over, and now the paint work is being done which is likely to be completed next week. He said in the coming week, they will start false ceiling work and in a day or two they will begin tile work which will be completed in a week. He added that electrical work is also going on simultaneously and civil work at the power sub-station work has been completed.
The minister further said that the airport “spread over 6,250 sqm area, the terminal building of the airport, depicting a grand Ram temple, will provide a spiritual experience to the passengers, also depict the life cycle of Lord Ram and open new doors of the regional prosperity through religious tourism”.
“We have also received three conveyer belts, out of which two will be used to move luggage at the arrival and departure. Hopefully we will complete the terminal building by July-end and hand over the same to PWD which can give the possession of the same to the agency concerned,” said the official. Officials of the construction agency carrying out internal road work said around 30% of the work has been done. An official said they have to construct around 4 kms of road, including 1.6 km stretch from Aitiana road to the terminal building and to apron area. He said peripheral roads and other works will be completed by September-end.
AAI officials said that they are waiting for necessary document from Indian Air Force to get an approval to start work inside the air force station at Halwara.
An AAI official said in order to sign a memorandum of understanding with IAF (as is needed to start work inside the air force station) to start widening of taxi track and construction of link taxi track, they have held meeting with IAF officials on June 16. He said after they get minutes of meeting from IAF officials, they will get approval from the higher authorities of AAI to sign an MoU with IAF.
“It will take construction agency not more than a month to complete the work inside the air force station”, said the official. He said if all goes as per the plan, they can start operations from Halwara airport by December.
Meanwhile, PWD officials said that even as terminal building is expected to be completed by July-end, the allied works are expected to be completed by September end. He added that they have recently got an approval for construction of a small bridge which will connect the Aitiana main road with the road to airport.
Meanwhile, residents are waiting for the airport to get functional. “As of now, we have to travel to Amritsar or Chandigarh to travel by air to other cities of the country and abroad. But once this airport comes up, we can travel to various cities of India and abroad from here. The international airport will not only benefit people of Ludhiana, but neighbouring districts as well,” said Manjeet Singh, a city resident.
