Pvt firms not to handle airforce base project

The upgrade of the Halwara airforce base near Ludhiana is round the corner. Unlike other airports, private players will not be allowed to execute the project.

This is because the project will be an extension of the existing air field base and keeping the security concerns of the country in mind, the government has forbidden private participation.

The Punjab government has proposed to add a civilian enclave and a terminal building at the existing air base for separate exit of passengers and cargo. This will segregate the operations of defence personnel from the civil traffic.

The proposed project that has already been approved by the prime minister's office, will get a green signal from the Airport Authority of India shortly. This needs an additional 700 acres of land that will be provided by the Punjab government.

"The Centre will decide the total project cost and the source of funding. The project will be executed by the state government independently if it is within the reach, else it will be a tie-up with some other government agency. But the probability of private participation is bleak as it may pose threat to country's internal security," said S C Agarawal, principal secretary of Industry and Commerce (Government of Punjab), to Business Standard.

The state government has prepared a roadmap for connecting the airport with Ludhiana. The proposed ring road to come up around Ludhiana will take care of half of the distance and the four laning of rest of the stretch will be completed by the state departments.

Prior to this, a similar kind of project was developed in Pune. The passenger and cargo facilities were added to the Pune airfield later.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will be visiting Punjab on September 28 and 29 and is expected to lay the foundation stone of this airport.

Onkar Singh Pahwa, managing director of Avon Cycles, said Ludhiana cycle exports amounted to approximately Rs 700 crore -Rs 800 crore every year. "Sometimes our international buyers don't visit us in Ludhiana and we have to go to New Delhi to show them our sample products. Now, I expect that they will come here more often.

Even the urgent orders as well as samples can be sent to any part of the world in less time as compared to earlier time. So when this international airport starts functioning, it will certainly help the city's cycle and other industries as well. Even the state's industry will get benefit from it,'' added Pahwa.

Vinod K Thapar, managing director of Ludhiana Integrated Textile Park Ltd, said the hosiery industry which is one of the leading industries of the city, will be benefited in a major way once the international part starts functioning. "Ludhiana exports approximately Rs 100 crore worth hosiery products every year.

Many of our international buyers don't even visit Ludhiana due to non-availability of an international airport here. Now, more buyers will come every year, giving boost to our industry,'' added Thapar.

Hoteliers in the town are also expecting better returns once the new Airport becomes operational for civilian traffic.