Lok Sabha Question No. 1551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-15
Subject: Development of International Airport at Halwara, Punjab
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1551

(To be answered on the 15 th  December 2022)

## DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT AT HALWARA, PUNJAB

1551.

SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a) to (c): As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on 20th December, 2018 between Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Government of Punjab (GoP), New Integrated Civil Enclave at Halwara was to be developed by forming a Joint Venture between AAI and GoP in which the majority stake (51%) is of AAI and the minority stake (49%) is of GoP.

However, during a meeting held between the Chief Secretary, GoP and the Chairman, AAI on 05.06.2020, it was decided that initially the construction of Interim Terminal Building of area 2000 sqm  with a capacity of 300 Peak Hour Passenger and allied work will be carried out by the GoP through the State funds. The cost so incurred by the GoP was decided to be reimbursed by the AAI. Accordingly,  the  work  of  construction  was  awarded  by  the  Public  Works Department (GoP) which was scheduled to be completed by June, 2022. However, the work got delayed due to non-payment to executing agencies by GoP.

- AAI, vide letter dated 04.07.2022 requested the State Government to complete the work as per scheduled timelines. However, due to no progress in the matter AAI decided to complete the balance work subject to foreclosure of the existing work by the GoP.

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the work of the proposed International Airport at Halwara, Punjab has been badly delayed and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether there have been any changes in the original agreement between Airports  Authority  of  India  and  the  Government  of  Punjab  towards  the construction of this international airport at Halwara and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether the Government has set any deadline for the completion of this airport at Halwara and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has received and accepted any proposal for naming
- this international airport as Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha international airport; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

However, in a meeting held on 09.11.2022 under the Chairmanship of the Hon'ble Chief Minister, Punjab, it was decided that as the construction work has already started  by  the  Government  of  Punjab,  the  cost  will  be  borne  by  the  State Government only. The same shall be reimbursed to the State Government by AAI after the monetisation of the assets belonging to Ludhiana airport at Sahnewal. Consequently, the State Government has  resumed work at the airport. (d) & (e):  In general, the airports are known by the name of city where they are located,  unless  another  specific  name  is  proposed  by  the  respective  State Government supported by a Resolution passed in the State Legislative Assembly, which is then considered in consultation with other Ministries/ Departments and then sent to the Union Cabinet for final approval. No such proposal has been received from the GoP to name Civil Enclave at Halwara as Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport.

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