CHANDIGARH: Even as Punjab and Haryana High Court has seriously taken up the issue of starting international flights from Chandigarh Airport, there seems remote posibility that international flights would ever be started from here due to operational problems.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Suikhbir Singh Badal had claimed that international flights would be started from new terminal of Chandigarh Airport, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narender Modi. Punjab Government had also acquired about 232 acres of land for the new airport but purpose of having international flights seems to have failed.
Now on a petition filed by Mohali Industries Association, Punjab and Haryana High Court has questioned the Airport Authority of India for spending Rs.1440 crores on an airport which is unable to start international flights. The High Court bench headed by Justice S.S.Sarao has said that why shouldn’t the land acquired for airport be returned to the poor farmers. The High Court has also threatneed to order CBI inquiry against authorities responsible for not constructioon of airport which served no purpose. The court said that airport may be shifted to old building and land acquired from 320 cillages be restored to them, if things will not improve.
The High Court was not satisfied from the reply by Ministry of Civil Aviation which said that efforts are being made to start flights. The Center Government has also informed that airlines were not responding to call for international flights. Chetan Mitta Assistant Silicitor General also said that ministry had nothing to do with international flights, it si the duty of CEO of Chandigarh International Airport Limited, a company floated by Punjab,Haryana and Chandigarh administration in which Punjab is major shareholder. The bench has issued notice to all seven airlines operating from Chandigarh airport to know what problems they face in starting international flights and what are their suggestions on it. The High Court has fixed Mat 10 next date of hearing. However, it is learnt that international flights might not be started due to technical and operational problems. The flights from new airport are still operating from Airforce base since no separate landing and take off strip has been constructed. The Air Force strip is too small to accomodate international careers.