Why number of international flights from Chandigarh has not increased, asks HC

In the order the high court also noted that “the main issue of Chandigarh Airport having negligible international flights, the non-availability of night landing facility was the biggest obstacle, which was resolved by installation of CAT-II ILR in March 2023.

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In the order the high court also noted that “the main issue of Chandigarh Airport having negligible international flights, the non-availability of night landing facility was the biggest obstacle, which was resolved by installation of CAT-II ILR in March 2023. (Express Archives)

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Secretary, Union Ministry of Civil Aviation, to file an affidavit as to “why the number of international flights from Chandigarh has not been increased” despite the airport becoming Category-II Instrument Landing System (CAT-II ILR) compliant more than 18 months ago.

The high court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Mohali Industries Association in 2015 seeking to make Chandigarh International Airport fully functional by removing all infrastructure deficiencies, and other issues related to the the airport.

A division bench of Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Anil Kshetarpal said, “There is also no explanation coming from the Chandigarh International Airport Authority Limited as to why there are only two international flights from Chandigarh (UT and capital of two prosperous states) on daily basis, to Sharjah and Dubai. It is unfortunate to note that even a district headquarter like Amritsar has more than 14 international flights to various countries.”

The high court said that apart from other issues related to the Chandigarh airport, the issue of exploring shorter route from Chandigarh to Chandigarh International Airport was discussed and certain orders were passed wherein in principle it was agreed on May 25, 2023, that 14.02 acres of land will be acquired and 0.98293 hectares of defence land will be surrendered for construction of alternative route through three villages, namely Jagatpura, Kandala and Jhurehri and a committee headed by S P Jain, Additional Solicitor General of India, was constituted, which was directed to submit timeline for ensuring expeditious completion of the proposed shorter route.

For the record, the Chandigarh airport falls in the jurisdiction of Mohali, a few kilometres away from Chandigarh.

The high court said that in view of the stand of the IAF, “it would be appropriate to requisition a certificate from the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, New Delhi, as to whether there is any plan for extending the airport and if yes, then on which side of the airport? The Secretary, Department of Civil Aviation, Punjab, is also directed to file an affidavit explaining as to what steps have been taken to increase the number of international flights from Chandigarh International Airport”.

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While ordering to list the matter on November 6, the high court also made it clear that “if the affidavits are not filed well before the date fixed, the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, shall appear virtually before the court on the next date”.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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