NewZNew (S A S Nagar) : With the inauguration of International Airport at Mohali by the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, Punjab today scripted a new success story by becoming the smallest state in the country and first in the northern region to have two international airports.
The Prime Minister flanked by Punjab Governor Prof. Kaptaan Singh Solanki, Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar, Union Civil Aviation Minister Mr. Ashok Gajpatti Raju MPs Mrs. Kirron Kher and Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra besides other dignitaries today dedicated this state of the art project to the nation.
This international Airport at Mohali, second in the state after Amritsar, was result of persistent efforts made by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, which would give much needed boost to the economy of the state by connecting it with the rest of world. It was a wonderful gift of NDA government to the Punjabi Diaspora settled across the globe as it would enable them stay well connected with their roots. International Air connectivity from Mohali was all the more important because it would connect the entire Northern region comprising Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttrakhand and even the Western part of Uttar Pradesh with the other parts of the world.
It may be recalled that in the absence of this international airport daily a large number of passengers from the Northern states were left with no other option but to travel Delhi for boarding the international flights, which not only caused undue harassment to them but also resulted in huge wastage of time, money and energy. Likewise, this airport would act as a catalyst to propel Industrialization in the state besides showcasing Punjab as the most preferred investment destination to woo the leading entrepreneurs across the world to make huge investments in the state.
Pertinently, total land of this project was around 300 acres and the constructed area is around 62500 Square meters which includes the terminal building and the service area. The total cost of this project was Rs 939 crores. The new international Terminal would provide a passenger hub, well as a cargo hub for import and export of raw material and perishable goods like fruits, vegetables and medicines. It would also cater to the growing demand of a maintenance repair overhaul (MRO) facility for all sizes of aircrafts. The other salient features of airport includes LED lighting, energy efficient chillers, double insulated roofing system, rain water harvesting, re-use of treated water.
Prominent amongst other present on the occasion included Speaker Punjab assembly Dr Charanjeet Singh Atwal, Cabinet Ministers Mr Bikram Singh Majithia, Jathedar Tota Singh, Mr Parminder Singh Dhindsa, Mr Chunni Lal Bhagat, Mr Surjit Kumar Jiyani, Mr Anil Joshi, Dr Daljeet Singh Cheema, Mr Sohan Singh Thandal, Mr Sikander Singh Maluka, Mr Madan Mohan Mittal, Jathedar Ajit Singh Kohar, Mr Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon, Mr Gulzar Singh Ranike and Mr Surjit Singh Rakhra, Union Minister for state Mr Vijay Sampla, Rajya Sabha MPs Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Mr Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Mr. Avinash Rai Khanna, Lok Sabha MP Mr Sher Singh Ghubaya, Media Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Mr Jangveer Singh, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Mr NK Sharma, Mr Som Parkash and Mr Sarup Chand Singla, former Union Minister Mr Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, Punjab Chief Secretary Mr. Sarvesh Kaushal, Director General of Police Mr. Sumedh Saini, Additional Chief Secretary Mr. Jagpal Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. SK Sandhu, Principal Secretary Civil Aviation Mr. Vishwajeet Khanna, Chief Administrator GMADA Mr. AK Sinha and Deputy Commissioner Mr. TPS Sidhu.