Halwara airport building to be ready by March 31

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced that the airport will soon be functional and people of the state would be able to board international flights from there.

The state government had acquired 161 acres of land for the construction of Halwara International airport.

AFTER a 10 month hiatus owing largely to the non-payment of funds for completion of the terminal building, Halwara international Airport in Ludhiana will finally be completed for operation by the end of this fiscal.

Officials said that the Punjab government has decided to arrange for money for now to complete the project and will later be reimbursed by Airport Authority of India (AAI).

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced that the airport will soon be functional and people of the state would be able to board international flights from there.

Rahul Bhandari, principal secretary of Civil Aviation, Punjab told The Indian Express that the project was delayed as the work had come to a standstill after the contractor was not paid Rs 5 crore. “There was a confusion. Now, the CM has taken a call and has found a solution. He has directed the finance department to release Rs 30 crore and GLADA to release Rs 20 crore so that the work is completed.“
He said that the work on the terminal building will be completed at a cost of Rs 50 crore. “A deadline to get work completed by March 31 has been given to the PWD, so that international flights can start.”

Also Read | GLADA takes possession of land at Halwara for construction of international civil terminal

The money being spent by the state initially would be reimbursed by AAI later. The state government had acquired 161 acres for the airport. This was funded by the state.

Halwara is an existing Indian Airforce station near Ludhiana. The government found it easier to develop the already existing airport as civilian airport also. Sahnewal, another town near Ludhiana, also has a civil airport but it cannot be expanded.

Bhandari said that after Halwara International Airport becomes functional, Sahnewal airport will be closed and monetised by AAI.

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“Sahnewal airport cannot be expanded. There is no provision. It is surrounded by buildings on all sides. That is why the government thought of setting up the International Airport at Halwara which has a full fledged terminal,” Bhandari said.

The CM has already announced that they will get the airport named after martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha. Earlier, Chandigarh airport was named after freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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