The work on the international airport coming up at Halwara in Punjab will commence by the mid July 2020.
The road leading to the airport site will be widened and the PWD (B&R) officials have been directed to begin the work on the boundary wall of the international airport at the earliest.
The 161.2703 acre land required for the construction of the civil terminal has already been acquired and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) has taken possession of the land.
The construction of runway will be completed on priority basis along with the construction of the terminal building so that the international flights can start operating soon.
In lieu of the acquired land, the farmers have been paid a compensation of Rs 20,61,314 per acre including 100 percent solatium, 12 percent AP and 1.25 multiplier factor. Moreover, each eligible family will also be paid Rs 5,50,000 as rehabilitation and resettlement amount.
The government of Punjab and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had inked the agreement for a joint venture (JV) 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 upcoming international airport will boost economic development, generate employment opportunities and bring in tourism in the area. The area will also develop as a business hub that will boost the economy of the state.
The state government is making efforts to ensure that the airport becomes operational in the next two-and-a-half years. The Phase-I of the project will include the development of a new international civil terminal over an area of 135.54 acre land parcel for full-fledged operations up to Code-4C type aircraft.
The project will be implemented through a JV formed with the stake of 51 percent of the AAI and 49 percent stake of the state government through GLADA.