Lok Sabha Question No. 2710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-16
Subject: Construction of Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 2710 (To be answered on the 16 th  March 2023)

## CONSTRUCTION OF AIRPORT

## 2710. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the status of the construction of Halwara airport and the time by which it would be completed;
- (b) the details of the challenges being faced in construction of the Halwara airport along with the reasons for the delays and causes of several missed deadlines regarding the completion of the project;
- (c) whether the project is in a suspended state as fresh tenders are being invited and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the time by which Halwara airport would be ready and the flights would start operation?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

(a): The work of construction of Interim Terminal Building and allied works at Halwara Airport is being carried out by Government of Punjab (GoP) through Public Works Department (PWD) and the Projected Date of Completion is June, 2023.

(b) & (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. The work was 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. 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 been 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 the work of construction of Interim Terminal Building and allied works at the airport and it is still in progress. (d): The timeline for completion of the airport projects and commencement of flight operations depends upon many factors such as availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure, commercial viability, traffic demand/willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports etc.

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