Chandigarh, March 9: Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol declared on Monday that the central government has successfully upgraded four key airports in Punjab to improve regional access. Ludhiana, Bathinda, Pathankot, and Adampur airports have all been developed under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), with the government providing the necessary funding for infrastructure.
The disclosure came as part of a response to questions about increasing flight frequencies from the state. Mohol maintained that the government’s role is primarily to provide the platform for connectivity, whereas the actual number of flights is determined by the commercial interests of private and public carriers.
“Airlines are free to introduce or expand services to any airport in the country depending on demand and business considerations,” the Minister affirmed.
According to the data presented, the Adampur airport saw the most significant development at a cost of 125.60 crore. Other regional hubs also received funding, with Ludhiana receiving 12.80 crore and Pathankot 5.18 crore. These upgrades are part of a broader strategy to connect smaller urban centers with major metropolitan networks.
The Minister asserted that the repeal of the Air Corporations Act decades ago created a market-driven aviation sector. He noted that while the government identifies and prepares airports for use, the decision to launch specific international or domestic services remains an operational choice for the airlines themselves.
