Save Rajasansi voices get louder

They submitted a memorandum to CM Parkash Singh Badal through the Deputy Commissioner8217;s office, asking him to take up the matter immediately with the Centre to bail out the airport.

The issue also attained political colour, as a day after Majha leaders submitted their memorandum to the CM, the BJP declared that it would hold a protest at the airport tomorrow.

Hundreds of party workers are being mobilised to make the protest a major show, which is being led by BJP MP Navjot Singh Sidhu, who has held the UPA government responsible for the 8220;early demise8221; of the airport, which was emerging as the backbone for region8217;s economy.

Cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia, meanwhile, issued a strong statement, saying that parties should restrain from 8220;politicising8221; the issue. He said leaders should sink their differences and work together to keep the holy city of Amritsar on international tourist circuit by saving Rajasansi Airport from pushing into oblivion.

Majithia, who had taken a team of MLAs from the region to the CM yesterday, said, 8220;Every political party should join hands to convince the Centre to make flights from Amritsar viable for airlines. This is necessary to decongest the Delhi airport.8221;

Traders and Industries8217; Association TIA Border Zone president Rajinder Singh Marwah said border areas have been adversely affected in the past due to terrorism and wars with Pakistan, but the airport gave some hope, which was now being dashed. 8220;At present, only two airlines are suspending operations, but in future more will follow suit,8221; said Marwaha.

Asserting that the airport and the Attari border were the only means of reviving the economic activities in the area, Majithia said the new trade routes had sent positive signal to the investors, international hotel chains and NRI pilgrims. 8220;The area will suffer if the flights are suspended, as Indo-Pak trade through Attari is already witnessing a slump,8221; he said, adding that PM Dr Manmohan Singh, who hails from the city, should take interest in developing the city as a hub of trading with west Asia.

He said the state government was doing its best to press upon the Centre to charge international travelling rates for domestic flights. 8220;The Punjab government should also take up the matter with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to computerise the cargo handling system at Rajasansi to encourage exports,8221; he said.

Sidhu said he would not sit silent till the Centre intervened and his party would organise a rally to expose the UPA government8217;s 8220;discrimination8221; with the region.

Amritsar Vikas Manch, a local NGO, has also shot off letters to the PM and the Civil Aviation Ministry to ensure efficient use of funds for expansion project and pressing the airlines to continue services.

Sukhbir never flew from Rajasansi: MLA

Amid concerns raised by various political leaders over the reduction of flights from Amritsar8217;s Rajasansi International Airport, Congress MLA from Kila Raipur Jassi Khangura accused SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal of failing to lead by example when it comes to patronising the airport. In a letter to Sukhbir Badal, he said Punjab8217;s aviation policy was in tatters. Khangura alleged that during the reign of the SAD-BJP, Sukhbir has not taken a single international flight from Amritsar, and preferred Delhi and other metros.

He said, 8220;Notwithstanding claims to promote the interests of Punjab, the failure of the SAD president to fly from Amritsar shows Mohali and Bathinda are closest to his heart.8221; The Congress MLA also claimed that not a single development initiative arising from SAD chief8217;s numerous overseas visits has matured. 8220;This government piloting the affairs of the state will ensure crash landing of Punjab8217;s economy,8221; he said.