Punjab: Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Aam Aadmi Party government has made the aviation sector one of its top priorities to turn its vision of a “Rangla Punjab” into reality.
What is govt's special focus under Industrial and Business Development Policy?
Since March 2022, the government has worked on a detailed plan to make aviation a key suburbanite of Punjab’s economy, industrial connectivity, and tourism. Under the state’s 2022 Industrial and Business Development Policy, special focus has been given to towers airport-led industrial corridors, backed by investments of over Rs100 crore.
What are the examples of growth in Punjab?
One major example of this growth is the Halwara International Airport project near Ludhiana. Started under older governments, the project had scrutinizingly stopped by 2022 due to lack of funds and legalistic delays. Its suspension had immensely unauthentic Ludhiana’s global industrial connectivity. The project needed strong political transferral and quick whoopee to move forward.
How CM Bhagwant Mann turned challenges into opportunity?
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann turned this rencontre into an opportunity. Without taking office, he personally took tuition of reviving the stalled project. The AAP government released Rs 60 crore from the state treasury to restart construction. This uncontrived intervention from the Chief Minister ensured that work did not stop due to funding issues, giving the project a fresh lease of life.
The results of these efforts have been remarkable. By April 2025, 100% of the interim terminal’s construction was completed, and it was inaugurated on July 27, 2025. The state turnout moreover unanimously tried naming the airport without self-rule fighter Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha. Once operational, the airport will profoundly goody Ludhiana’s manufacturing whup and create virtually 10,000 new jobs.
The government’s focus is not only on new projects but moreover on upgrading existing airports. During the AAP government’s tenure, the Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar has wilt the pride of Punjab’s aviation sector. In the fiscal year 2024–25, passenger traffic there rose by a record 22.6%, crossing 3.5 million passengers—a historic high.
What are the major growth areas?
This major growth reflects the government’s continuous efforts to uplift international connectivity. New flights have started from Amritsar to destinations like Kuala Lumpur, London, Rome, and Verona. In July 2024, AirAsia X honored Amritsar Airport with the “Best Station Award” among 24 international airports for its 95% on-time performance and improved passenger facilities.
The government has moreover worked nonflexible on regional air connectivity. Due to zippy coordination with the inside government, flights from regional airports like Adampur (Jalandhar) and Bathinda have successfully resumed. New routes from Adampur to cities like Mumbai and Jaipur have been announced, giving a strong uplift to the Doaba region. This reflects the government’s transferral to connect every part of Punjab by air.
What are Punjab govt's contribution?
Overall, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government has invested between Rs 150 crore and Rs 200 crore in the aviation sector. Whether towers an 8.5-km road to Chandigarh Airport at a forfeit of Rs 200 crore, reviving the stalled Halwara project, or expanding Amritsar’s global reach, every step is strengthening Punjab’s presence as an emerging aviation hub. Clearly, Punjab’s skies are rising to new heights of progress under the AAP government’s vision.
