CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal, today dedicated the State’s first Civil Airport at Hisar to the people of the State and said that it would open the possibilities of creating an economic corridor and vibrant industrial ecosystem especially in south and west Haryana. He said that a high speed train would soon be started from Hisar to Delhi to improve connectivity to the International Airport at New Delhi.
Manohar Lal was addressing a press conference after inaugurating the Hisar Airport, Integrated Aviation Hub, Phase-1 at Hisar today. Finance Minister Capt Abhimanyu and BJP State President Mr Subhash Barala were also present on this occasion.
On this occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was also signed between the State Government and Spice Jet Limited who has shown keen interest for assistance in development of Phase-II and III of the Integrated Aviation Hub. While Additional Chief Secretary, Civil Aviation Mr Devender Singh signed on behalf of the State Government, Chief Managing Director, Mr Ajay Singh signed on behalf of Spice Jet.
The Integrated Aviation Hub is being developed over 4200 acres of land. The Civil Aviation Department has 600 acres of land and with the transfer of 3600 acres by Animal Husbandry and Dairying Department today; the Civil Aviation Department would be officially the owner of 4200 acres of land which sets the stage for Phase II and III planning and development. Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Mr Sunil Gulati handed over necessary documents in this regard to Additional Chief Secretary, Civil Aviation Mr Devender Singh in the presence of Chief Minister. The Chief Minister said that in case of requirement of additional land for this project, the State Government could freeze the available land of other departments as per the requirement.
The Chief Minister said that this project was conceived years ago but the earlier government in the State made only tall and hollow claims. However, the present State Government removed all the hurdles in the implementation of the project through proper coordination between Civil Aviation Departments of Centre and State. With the inauguration of the first phase of the project today, all facilities required for flying an aeroplane have been made available at the airport, he added.
He said that the State Government also plans to develop a cargo terminal, aero–space, defence university, defence MRO and Aviation University in the second phase of the project. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the same is expected to be completed within the next 18 months.
The Chief Minster said that Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi has implemented a new scheme UDAN to make flying affordable to the common man. He said that under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN, airline namely M/s Pinnacle Airways Limited has bid for two routes that is Delhi-Hisar and Hisar-Chandigarh. Six flights a week have been planned on both routes. A nominal fair of about Rs 1450 per passenger would be charged for these routes. The airline is in the process of obtaining requisite approval from Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and is expected to commence operation from mid-October this year.
He said that in view of the exponential growth in the civil aviation sector and the locational advantage to the National Capital Region (NCR), the State Government also plans to extend the existing airstrips in four other aerodromes namely Pinjore, Karnal, Bhiwani and Narnaul to 5000 feet to create facilities for activities like flying training organizations, adventure sports and parking of aircraft.
He said that the State Government has a plan to develop the Airport at Hisar as an International Airport owing to the increasing pressure on International Airport at New Delhi. He said that after the Heathrow Airport of London, the Airport at Delhi is the busiest Airport and the Hisar Airport could serve as its best alternative in the country. We will soon complete all necessary requirement of an International Airport, he added.
In reply to a question, the Chief Minister said that the State Government intends to invite Non Schedule Operator Permit (NSOP) Holders to operate on mutually acceptable routes from Hisar Civil Airport, for which the State Government would provide attractive incentives and expects commercial operations to begin very shortly. The State Government is in advanced talks with Himachal Pradesh Government for tie up for flights from Hisar to Shimla, Kullu and Dharamshala.
Earlier, speaking on this occasion, Chief Managing Director, Spice Jet, Mr Ajay Singh said that the airport at Hisar would give further boost the development in the State. While terming the step of the State Government to develop an Airport at Hisar as historical, he said that this Airport would serve as an alternative to the International Airport at Delhi in the times to come.