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Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chandigarh's airport puzzle: Old terminal may fly again as shortcut plan crashes
1 2 Chandigarh: Not getting its way on the shorter route to the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, the Chandigarh administration is now eyeing a throwback solution — reopening the old airport terminal. Attending the 'Northern Region Ministers Conference on Civil Aviation' in Dehradun on Friday, UT chief secretary Rajeev Verma formally proposed reviving the old terminal, which lies just 6 km from Sector 17, compared to the 21 km trek to Mohali's terminal. The move could dramatically cut travel time for city residents. The administration also sought more international flights from the airport. "It is the first time the administration has formally proposed reopening the old airport terminal. It will sharply reduce the distance for the city residents to the airport," said a UT official. The old airport terminal was shut down for civil passengers after the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (SBSIAC) Chandigarh, having a terminal in Mohali, became operational in 2015. The old terminal was a civil enclave within the Chandigarh Air Force Station. "The demand for the operationalisation of the old Chandigarh airport has been consistently made by different sections of city residents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo The demand increased after the plans for the alternative shorter route to the international airport didn't take off," said the official. Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari has also been demanding the operationalisation of the old Chandigarh airport. He raised the issue in Parliament in 2024. In response to Tewari's question on the re-operationalisation of the old airport, on Dec 19, 2024, minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said there was no proposal to make the old terminal operational for passenger movement. The administration has been raising the demand for a shorter route to the new international airport for several years but with little success. The matter is also pending in the Punjab and Haryana high court. On the directions of the high court, a proposal for the shorter route to the new international airport was finalised, and even the land acquisition process was started by Chandigarh. But the proposed shorter route got a major setback when the Chandigarh International Airport Ltd (CHIAL) resolved that in the interest of the airport with respect to future growth for the next 30-40 years, the land in respect of the construction of the road from Chandigarh to the airport should be utilised for some other purpose which would be beneficial for the CHIAL as the proposal to construct an alternate route by the UT Administration would hinder future expansion/growth of the airport. Notably, previously, CHIAL had agreed to the proposal of the Chandigarh Administration to grant permission to use CHIAL land for the construction of the road from Chandigarh to the airport. Punjab has also been reluctant in pursuing the shorter-route project. The Chandigarh Administration had finalised a tentative proposal to provide an alternate route for SBSIAC Chandigarh from Purv Marg (Jn-63) having a total length of 3.5 km. The alternate route will reduce the travel distance from 11.6 km to 3.5 km (from the junction).
India Gazette
12-05-2025
- India Gazette
Temporary closure of 32 airports lifted following de-escalation of India-Pakistan tensions
New Delhi [India], May 12 (ANI): The temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for civil aircraft operations amid India-Pakistan tensions has been lifted with immediate effect, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) stated on Monday. In a press release, the AAI stated that the airports' temporary closure was initially set to last until 05:29 hrs on May 15 but will now be available for civil aircraft operations. 'Attention Flyers: reference notice issued for temporary closure of 32 Airports for civil Aircraft operations till 05:29 hrs of 15 May 2025. It is informed that these Airports are now available for civil Aircraft operations with immediate effect. It is recommended for travellers to check flight status directly with Airlines and monitor Airline's websites for regular updates,' the release read. Meanwhile, Mohali Deputy Commissioner also stated that Chandigarh Airport was now open for normal civil flight operations with immediate effect as per information conveyed by CEO of the Chandigarh International Airport Limited (CHIAL). 'Chandigarh AirPort @ixcairport is now open for normal civil flight operations with immediate effect as per information conveyed by CEO CHIAL,' the DC Mohali stated on X. Earlier, the temporary airport closure was due to operational reasons amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following 'Operation Sindoor'. Earlier on May 10, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) announcing the closure of 32 airports across Northern and Western India for all civil flight operations. The list of 32 airports includes Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon, Jaisalmer, Jammu, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar), Leh, Ludhiana, Mundra, Naliya, Pathankot, Patiala, Porbandar, Rajkot (Hirasar), Sarsawa, Shimla, Srinagar, Thoise and Uttarlai. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) earlier extended the temporary closure of 25 segments of Air Traffic Service (ATS) routes within the Delhi and Mumbai Flight Information Regions (FIRS) due to operational reasons. The reopening comes as a peaceful night was reported along the Line of Control (Loc) on May 11 and May 12, marking the first calm night in days after intense Pakistan retaliation to Operation Sindoor. The operation launched on May 7 targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), prompting such retaliatory actions from Pakistan, including shelling and attempted drone attacks on Indian cities and military installations, which were neutralised by India's air defence systems. (ANI)
United News of India
12-05-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Chandigarh, Amritsar airports reopen for civilian flights
Chandigarh, May 12 (UNI) Chandigarh's Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport and Amritsar's Sri Guru Ramdas Jee International Airport reopened on Monday for civilian/commercial flights, official sources said. Airports, shut down after India's 'Operation Sindoor', have been reopened after a ceasefire between India and Pakistan was announced a couple of days back. Deputy Commissioner, Mohali announced on social media X : "Chandigarh airport is now open for normal civil flight operations with immediate effect as per information conveyed by CEO CHIAL. Earlier, the Airports Authority of India had announced that 32 airports were now available for civil aircraft operations with immediate effect. UNI GS MR PRS
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Intl' airport remains closed despite ceasefire; operations may resume by May 13
Mohali: Despite the ceasefire agreement announced between India and Pakistan on May 10, Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Mohali remains closed, with commercial flight operations yet to resume. Officials have indicated that services may resume by May 13, depending on the outcome of diplomatic talks scheduled for May airport has remained under complete control of the Indian Air Force (IAF) since May 7, when all 52 scheduled flights cancelled as a precautionary measure amid escalating regional tensions. The move affected thousands of passengers and disrupted connectivity with major cities across the Kumar, chief executive officer of Chandigarh International Airport Ltd (CHIAL), stated, "We are waiting for official confirmation from the authorities concerned. We are hopeful that operations will resume by May 13, subject to security clearance and outcomes of ongoing diplomatic discussions." Airlines, however, have already suspended bookings and operations till May 15, citing uncertainty over the airport, which serves over 10,000 passengers daily, connects Mohali and the wider Chandigarh region with key domestic destinations such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, and Leh, as well as international destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Operation Sindoor 'Our job is to hit target, not to count body bags': Air Marshal Bharti on Op Sindoor Precautionary blackout imposed across parts of Rajasthan, Punjab 'Indian Navy was in position to strike Karachi': Vice Admiral on Operation Sindoor Continued closure of the airport has caused inconvenience to travellers and businesses, with many calling for quicker restoration of services, now that the ceasefire has been authorities, meanwhile, have urged passengers to stay updated through official airline communications and the CHIAL website for any changes to the current 121082587 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
