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.

Your next big infra connection is waiting at RAHSTA 2025 – Asia’s Biggest Roads & Highways Expo, Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai. Don’t miss out!

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

04 Sep 2025

Tamil Nadu Secures Rs 7 Billion Investment in Germany

Tamil Nadu has received investment commitments worth Rs 7.02 billion during Chief Minister M K Stalin’s visit to Germany, reinforcing the state’s ambition to become India’s leading manufacturing and R&D hub. The deals were secured during the Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave in Germany, part of the Chief Minister’s ongoing European tour.A total of 23 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed at the conclave, representing investments worth Rs 3.82 billion, expected to generate 9,070 jobs. These are in addition to three major MoUs announced earlier — Rs 2 billion from Knorr-Brem..

Infrastructure Energy

04 Sep 2025

India to Trial Battery Storage at Coal Plants

India is set to trial the installation of battery storage systems at select coal-fired power plants, as part of a broader strategy to integrate the country’s expanding solar capacity while ensuring a steady and reliable power supply. The initiative, being led by NTPC with support from the Ministry of Power, was announced by Central Electricity Authority (CEA) Chairman Ghanshyam Prasad at the PowerGen India 2025 event in New Delhi.India’s current energy landscape requires thermal plants to scale down output during daylight hours, when solar energy dominates the grid, but increase generation..

Infrastructure Energy

04 Sep 2025

Cities Key to India's 500 GW Green Energy Goal: WRI

Indian cities are increasingly emerging as key enablers of the country’s energy transition, serving as both major energy consumers and innovation hubs, according to a report released by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India at its annual flagship conference, Connect Karo.Titled “How Cities Can Support India’s Energy Transition”, the report highlights how cities are integrating national policy frameworks with local innovations to accelerate decarbonisation.Despite efforts such as rooftop solar adoption, LED street lighting, and various local sustainability drives, most urban areas s..