Indian PM Modi to virtually inaugurate Halwara Airport Terminal on July 27

Punjab: In a major boost to Punjab’s aviation infrastructure, the long-awaited civil terminal at Halwara air base in Ludhiana is ready for inauguration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate the terminal on July 27, according to Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain and the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The new terminal—developed at the Indian Air Force base in Raikot subdivision—fulfills a long-standing demand from Ludhiana’s business and industrial communities for better air connectivity. Positioned to serve as a key link for the region, the terminal will soon open for domestic operations and is expected to enhance ease of travel for residents of Ludhiana and surrounding areas, a news report said. 

Though the exact date for flight operations and airline confirmations is awaited, initial discussions suggest a potential Air India service to Delhi. For now, the terminal will handle one domestic flight and is equipped to accommodate 150 passengers in both arrival and departure areas.

Currently, Ludhiana is served by a single FlyBig flight to Ghaziabad from Sahnewal airport. The Halwara terminal is expected to significantly reduce the need for passengers to travel to Delhi, Amritsar, Chandigarh, or Jalandhar for flights, especially benefiting the city’s vibrant trading and manufacturing sectors.

The terminal has been constructed at Aitiana village, about 35 km from the district headquarters, on 162 acres of land contributed by 272 farmers—a gesture that underscores strong local support for the project.

Punjab Industries Minister Sanjeev Arora, who played a key role in advancing the initiative, confirmed the July 27 inauguration and noted that flight schedules will be released shortly by the airlines. Arora, recently elected from Ludhiana West, said the terminal’s completion marks a new era in regional connectivity.

Originally approved in 2018, the ₹54-crore project includes ₹27 crore for the terminal building and ₹27 crore for the tarmac. Despite early delays due to funding, the project gained momentum after land was secured by GLADA in 2020 and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann intervened to expedite construction in late 2022. The Punjab government has fully funded the development, with the Airports Authority of India expected to reimburse the amount.

There are also plans to propose renaming the terminal after freedom fighter Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, a revered figure from the district. The proposal is currently under review by the Centre.

With the upcoming inauguration, Ludhiana is poised to take a big step forward in regional air connectivity—laying the groundwork for future expansion and greater accessibility for travelers across Punjab and beyond.