PM Modi to Virtually Inaugurate Halwara Airport Terminal in Punjab
The aviation landscape of Punjab is poised for a significant transformation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to virtually inaugurate the Halwara Airport terminal building on Sunday afternoon at approximately 3:45 PM. This long-awaited project, located in the industrial hub of Ludhiana district, represents a major infrastructure milestone for the state, with completion coming after decades of planning and development.
High-Profile Ceremony Amid Weather Concerns
The inauguration ceremony will feature prominent dignitaries including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu, who will gather to mark this historic occasion. Authorities have been working tirelessly over the past 48 hours to apply final touches to the site, ensuring everything is prepared despite a yellow alert for thunderstorms in the region.
To accommodate the expected crowd of approximately 2,000 attendees, officials have erected a massive waterproof tent at the venue. All necessary preparations have been completed, including:
- Final paving of approach roads
- Comprehensive security deployment
- Dedicated high-speed internet links for the Prime Minister's virtual ribbon-cutting ceremony
A Village Divided: Hope and Resentment in Aitiana
While the airport promises to bring regional prosperity and improved connectivity, the mood in the neighboring village of Aitiana—where the terminal building is actually situated—reflects a complex mixture of hope and resentment among local residents.
Diljeet Singh, husband of Aitiana Sarpanch Kulwinder Kaur, expressed optimism about the project's benefits: "Our residents will no longer have to trek to other cities to catch a flight. With nearly half our population being NRIs, this is a massive convenience that will transform how families connect across continents."
However, former Sarpanch Lakhvir Singh voiced significant concerns about the project's implementation: "Villagers were paid only Rs 20 lakh for each acre when the land was initially acquired, yet the government is now paying more than Rs 81 lakh per acre for road widening projects. This disparity in compensation feels deeply unfair to our community."
Additional grievances include:
- The decision to name the facility "Halwara Airport" rather than "Aitiana Airport"
- Alleged lack of local job opportunities despite the airport's development
- Concerns about equitable distribution of economic benefits
The Naming Controversy: A Potential Flashpoint
A significant point of contention surrounding the airport involves its official naming. Local activists are demanding that Prime Minister Modi honor Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, a legendary freedom fighter from the region. According to Baldev Singh (Dev Sarabha) of Sarabha village, the state government had previously proposed naming the airport after the freedom fighter.
"We want the Prime Minister to formally announce this name during tomorrow's ceremony. If this demand is not met, we will be forced to launch protests and agitation to ensure our historical figures receive proper recognition," warned the activist, highlighting the emotional significance attached to the naming decision.
Economic Prospects and Regional Development
Despite the ongoing disputes, real estate experts and local business owners in the Sarabha area anticipate substantial economic benefits from the airport's development. As the facility moves toward full international operations, stakeholders expect:
- A significant surge in property values throughout the region
- Enhanced commercial growth and business opportunities
- Improved connectivity for industrial and agricultural exports
- Increased tourism potential for Punjab's cultural and historical sites
The Halwara Airport project represents more than just infrastructure development—it symbolizes the complex interplay between regional progress, local aspirations, and historical preservation in Punjab's evolving economic landscape.
