Amritsar/Chandigarh, April 7:The debate over the commencement of air services at Halwara Airport intensified on Tuesday as Punjab Minister Sanjeev Arora countered claims made by Union Minister Ravneet Bittu regarding a new flight schedule. While Bittu declared that the timings had been reworked to facilitate easier travel, Arora maintained that the existing morning-centric timetable remains the official plan.
Minister Bittu recently shared a detailed daily schedule slated for May 15, asserting that Air India flights would operate twice daily during mid-morning and afternoon slots. He stated that these adjustments were a response to the needs of the local public. In contrast, Arora declared that flights would continue to depart from Delhi in the early morning hours, reaching Ludhiana by 7:05 AM, and that no official revision had been communicated by the airline.
The disagreement comes amid growing weariness from the Ludhiana trade and industrial sectors. Representatives noted that the lack of a unified stance from political leaders makes it difficult for residents to plan for the new connectivity. Business leaders stated that the constant back-and-forth regarding schedules—before operations have even commenced—is undermining confidence in the project.
Addressing the controversy, Arora reaffirmed that flight operations are ultimately determined by the carrier. He asserted that political figures should refrain from making premature declarations that contradict established airline data. As both leaders defend their respective positions, the UT and state administration are expected to provide a formal verification of the schedule to resolve the ongoing impasse.
