CM DESCRIBES OPERATION OF INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM MOHALI AIRPORT AS HISTORC EVENT
SAS Nagar (Mohali) - Describing the maiden direct international flight from Mohali International Airport as a red letter day, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal today said that it was a step further towards emerging the state as ‘hub of air connectivity’ thereby immensely benefiting the Punjabi Diaspora settled across the globe. Interacting with the media persons on the sidelines of the inaugural of first international flight from this airport to Sharjah (UAE) here today, the Chief Minister said that it was a matter of great pride and satisfaction for the Punjabis that Punjab was the first in the northern region to have two international airports. He said that this international Airport at Mohali, second in the state after Amritsar, was result of persistent efforts made by the state government. He said that the commencing of international flights from this airport would give much needed boost to the economy of the state by connecting it with the rest of world. Likewise, Mr. Badal while thanking the Union Civil Aviation Minister Mr. Ashok Gajpatti Raju, said that it was a magnificent gift of NDA government to the Punjabis settled across in different parts of the world as it would enable them stay well connected with their roots. The Chief Minister said that this airport would act as a catalyst to boost Industrialization in the state besides showcasing Punjab as the most preferred investment destination to woo the leading entrepreneurs across the world to make huge investments in the state. Mr. Badal said that International Air connectivity from Mohali was all the more important because it would connect the entire Northern region comprising Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttrakhand and even the Western part of Uttar Pradesh with the other parts of the world. He said that in the absence of this international airport daily a large number of passengers from the Northern states were left with no other option but to travel Delhi for boarding the international flights, which not only caused undue harassment to them but also resulted in huge wastage of time, money and energy. Addressing the media persons on the occasion, the Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal said that with the operationalization of the Mohali International Airport, a major promise made to the people of the Punjab has been fulfilled by the state government. Terming this as a historic occasion, he said that this initiative would go a long way to propel and IT and tourism sector in the state. He also said that this Airport would immensely benefit the Punjabi Diaspora settled abroad to frequently visit their relations in a hassle free manner besides connecting them with the roots of their motherland. Divulging more, Deputy Chief Minister said that with the commissioning of today’s direct flight from Mohali International Airport to Sharjah would further open new vistas for several other international air operators’ to launch new flights from other countries of the world especially the Singapore. He also mentioned that another direct flight from this Airport to Dubai would be launched shortly. Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal apprised that he was leading a special delegation of prospective Industrialists from the state to Sharjah to explore more investment avenues so as to bring major investment in different sectors in Punjab. The Deputy Chief Minister said that this Airport would be instrumental in giving major push to the hosiery, woolen, garments and cycle industry in Ludhiana. He also hoped that with the commissioning of International flights from Mohali Airport, the local farmers of the state would be enormously benefitted especially from the country like Dubai, which had a tremendous export potential of agro and food items. Earlier the Chief Minister accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister welcomed the Union Civil Aviation Minister Mr. Ashok Gajpatti Raju. Among others present on the occasion were Irrigation Minister, Punjab, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, MLA Derabassi N.K. Sharma, Advisor to Chief Minister on National Affairs Harcharan Bains, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister S.K. Sandhu, Principal Secretary Civil Aviation Viswajeet Khanna, Special Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Gaggandip Singh Brar, Media Advisor to Deputy Chief Minister Jangveer Singh, Special Principal Secretary to Deputy CM Rahul Tewari and Mayor Municipal Corporation Mohali Kulwant Singh.
