Halwara Civil Terminal Nears Launch, PM Modi To Inaugurate

22 Jul 2025 CW Team

However, no final date has been set for flight operations to begin, and no airline has been officially confirmed. An official indicated that Air India may start a flight to Delhi, but required permissions are still pending.

Located at the Indian Air Force base in Halwara, Raikot subdivision, the civil terminal was a longstanding demand of Ludhiana’s residents, especially the business community, to improve air connectivity in the region.

Currently, Ludhiana is served only by FlyBig, operating one flight six days a week to Ghaziabad’s Hindon airport from Sahnewal airport. Consequently, industrialists and traders must travel to Delhi, Jalandhar, Amritsar or Chandigarh to access other destinations.

The new terminal will initially handle only one domestic flight, with a capacity of 150 passengers for arrivals and departures.

Punjab’s Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora, who recently won the Ludhiana West bypoll on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket, confirmed the 27 July inauguration and noted that flight schedules would be announced later by the airlines.

The terminal building has been constructed at Aitiana village, 35 km from Ludhiana district headquarters, on 162 acres of land contributed by 272 farmers.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann previously proposed renaming the airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, a local freedom fighter, but this awaits central government approval.

Seven Years in the Making

Although approved by the Punjab government in 2018, civil work was repeatedly delayed due to funding issues. Construction began only after the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) took possession of the land in 2020.

The Public Works Department (PWD) received the contract in December 2021, with a completion target of June 2022, but funds were delayed until November 2022. Work resumed in December 2022 following intervention by Chief Minister Mann.

The total project cost is estimated at Rs 540 million, with Rs 270 million allocated each for the terminal building and tarmac. The Punjab government initially covered the costs, with AAI expected to reimburse the expenses later.

The long-awaited civil terminal at Halwara Air Base in Ludhiana is finally ready after years of delay. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the terminal virtually on 27 July, confirmed Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).However, no final date has been set for flight operations to begin, and no airline has been officially confirmed. An official indicated that Air India may start a flight to Delhi, but required permissions are still pending.Located at the Indian Air Force base in Halwara, Raikot subdivision, the civil terminal was a longstanding demand of Ludhiana’s residents, especially the business community, to improve air connectivity in the region.Currently, Ludhiana is served only by FlyBig, operating one flight six days a week to Ghaziabad’s Hindon airport from Sahnewal airport. Consequently, industrialists and traders must travel to Delhi, Jalandhar, Amritsar or Chandigarh to access other destinations.The new terminal will initially handle only one domestic flight, with a capacity of 150 passengers for arrivals and departures.Punjab’s Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora, who recently won the Ludhiana West bypoll on an Aam Aadmi Party ticket, confirmed the 27 July inauguration and noted that flight schedules would be announced later by the airlines.The terminal building has been constructed at Aitiana village, 35 km from Ludhiana district headquarters, on 162 acres of land contributed by 272 farmers.Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann previously proposed renaming the airport after Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, a local freedom fighter, but this awaits central government approval.Seven Years in the MakingAlthough approved by the Punjab government in 2018, civil work was repeatedly delayed due to funding issues. Construction began only after the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) took possession of the land in 2020.The Public Works Department (PWD) received the contract in December 2021, with a completion target of June 2022, but funds were delayed until November 2022. Work resumed in December 2022 following intervention by Chief Minister Mann.The total project cost is estimated at Rs 540 million, with Rs 270 million allocated each for the terminal building and tarmac. The Punjab government initially covered the costs, with AAI expected to reimburse the expenses later.

Infrastructure Urban

05 May 2026

Meghalaya And Assam Hold Talks To End Transport Stoppages In Garo Hills

Meghalaya and Assam have opened talks aimed at ending recent stoppages of commodity transport in the Garo Hills, officials said. The deputy chief minister, in charge of home affairs, reported that both state governments are coordinating to resolve disruptions and to restore normal movement of goods. He acknowledged that misunderstandings may have contributed to the incidents and that clarification between administrative units is under way. The discussions are intended to produce practical arrangements that will allow consignments to move without hindrance while respecting local procedures. The..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Kochi Metro Records 1.375 mn Rise In Passengers In FY26

Kochi Metro recorded a marginal rise in ridership in the financial year 2025-26, carrying 1.375 mn more passengers than in the previous year. The service carried 36.8 million (mn) passengers in 2025-26 compared with 35.5 mn in 2024-25, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.9 per cent. The growth was described as distributed rather than concentrated in isolated spikes. A month-wise analysis shows steady gains across quarters. In the first quarter, ridership increased from 8.57 mn to 8.84 mn, while the second quarter rose from 9.13 mn to 9.51 mn. These trends indicated broad-based improvemen..

Infrastructure Transport

05 May 2026

Ghaziabad Plans 16km Metro Link To Delhi Via Hindon Airport

Ghaziabad authorities are pursuing a 16 km metro link to Delhi that will run via Hindon Airport, and a detailed project report is under way. The plan is intended to improve connectivity between Ghaziabad and the national capital and to provide an interchange with the airport. Officials said the project is being studied to assess alignments, station locations and cost estimates ahead of formal approvals and tendering. The announcement follows the inauguration of the Delhi?Faridabad metro extension, which will offer hassle free travel for around 0.2 mn daily commuters between the national capita..