During the Zero Hour session in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Rajinder Gupta, a Member of Parliament from Punjab, brought a critical issue to the forefront. He made a strong appeal to the central government to accelerate the process of making the Shaheed-E-Azam Sardar Kartar Singh Sarabha Airport at Halwara in Ludhiana fully operational.
Economic Imperative for Punjab's Industrial Heart
Gupta underscored the immense economic significance of Ludhiana, which he termed the state's industrial hub. He presented compelling data, stating that the city contributes a staggering over Rs 72,000 crore to India's total industrial output. Furthermore, it is home to more than 1.5 lakh Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), one of the highest such concentrations in the entire country.
"Despite this enormous economic footprint," the MP argued, "the region lacks a functional commercial airport." He pointed out that this deficiency puts Ludhiana at a distinct disadvantage when compared to other major industrial hubs across India like Jaipur, Indore, Surat, Rajkot, and Coimbatore, all of which enjoy robust air connectivity.
Connectivity Benefits for NRIs and Beyond
The parliamentarian stressed the urgent need for enhanced air connectivity in Punjab, a state with deep global links. He noted that Punjab is the homeland for nearly 22 to 25 lakh Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), whose travel needs are currently not adequately met.
Gupta projected that once operational, the Halwara airport could immediately handle over 2,500 passengers daily. He estimated that 10 to 12 flights could commence from the very first day, linking Ludhiana directly to major metropolitan centers including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.
Multiplier Effects: Decongestion, Jobs, and Growth
The MP elaborated on the wide-ranging benefits of activating the airport. He stated it would drastically reduce travel time and logistics costs for the region's vast MSME sector. Additionally, it would help decongest the nearby airports in Delhi and Chandigarh.
The advantages, however, extend far beyond convenience. Gupta highlighted significant positive outcomes:
- Reduction in fuel expenditure and lower carbon emissions for the region.
- Creation of thousands of new jobs in diverse sectors such as aviation, logistics, hospitality, and retail.
- Acting as an "economic multiplier," citing that districts with airports often experience GDP growth rates up to three times faster.
Gupta aligned his demand with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He acknowledged the government's focus on improving regional connectivity through schemes like UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik). He also emphasized the unique opportunity for civil-military synergy at Halwara, which is one of India's largest Air Force stations, suggesting the model could be a win-win for both defense and civilian needs.
