Chandigarh, December 21: Over a fortnight after the Punjab Cabinet approved the setting up of a New Civil International Air Terminal at IAF Station Halwara in Ludhiana in its December 3 meeting, the Punjab Government on Thursday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the same.
The MoU was signed by the state Civil Aviation secretary Tejveer Singh on behalf of the Punjab Government and AAI executive director GD Gupta on behalf of the Airport Authority in the presence of Punjab Chief Secretary Karan Avtar Singh and AAI chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra.
As per the MoU, the project would be implemented through a Joint Venture Company (JVC) formed with the majority stake of 51 percent of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and 49 percent stake of the State Government thorough the Greater Ludhiana Development Authority (GLADA).
Further, the AAI would bear all capital expenditure of development of new airport, while the Punjab Government would provide 135.54 acres of land free of cost and free of all encumbrances for the project while JVC would bear all expenditure on operation, management and maintenance including repairs.
It is expected that Phase I of the project, that is the development of new international civil enclave in 135.54 acres for full-fledged operations up to Code-4C type of aircraft shall be completed within three years.
The International Airport at Ludhiana would not only be a commercially viable project and facilitate better air connectivity for passengers of the State but will have a spinoff economic benefit for the industries in the State, said the Government’s official spokesperson.
Spokesperson said that another MoU was also signed between Punjab Government and AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited (AAICLAS) — a wholly-owned subsidiary of AAI — for operation and maintenance of the Cargo Terminal at Amritsar Airport.
As per the MoU, the AAI will take over the Centre for Perishable Cargo (CPC) facility at Amritsar Airport which has been in-operational since 2013, and operate and manage it.
Spokesperson said that the MoU, exchanged by Punjab Agro managing director C Sibin and AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services CEO Keku Bomi Gazder, will give a boost to agri-exports of Punjab and neighbouring states as cargo flights are expected to start in the near future.
Source Daily Pioneer
