Latest news with #ShaheedBhagatSinghInternationalAirport
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Road accidents snuff out two lives in Mohali
As many as two individuals lost their lives in separate road accidents in Mohali on Friday and Thursday. Two separate cases under various sections of the BNS were registered in Mohali. (iStock) On Friday afternoon, a 28-year-old motorcyclist identified as Sonu, son of Sarabjit Singh, tragically died after being struck by a truck near Azizpur toll plaza on the Zirakpur-Patiala Road. The deceased, a native of Ludhiana who currently resided in Sheikhpur Majra village, was employed as a cleaner at Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport and was returning home from work when the fatal collision occurred. Investigating officer ASI Rajesh Chohan stated that the accident was a result of the truck driver's negligent driving. Sonu is survived by two young children; his sudden death has left his family devastated. Police have registered a case against the truck driver under Sections 281 and 106 of the BNS. In a separate hit-and-run incident on Thursday evening, a scooterist named Narendra Singh was killed after being hit by a speeding car near the backside of the Sector 71 police station. The victim, who worked in a private company, was also returning home when the incident took place. According to investigation officer Keuual Kumar, the car, bearing number CH-01-CK-9889, struck the scooter from behind with significant force, causing Narendra Singh to fall and become trapped under the vehicle. Eyewitnesses reported that the driver did not stop after the accident and immediately fled the scene. Passersby rushed to assist the victim and called for an ambulance. Narendra Singh was taken to Fortis Hospital, Mohali, where he later succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Police arrived promptly, recorded statements from those present, and are currently checking CCTV footage from nearby areas in an effort to identify the car and its driver. 'We have registered a case and efforts are on to trace the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run,' stated Kumar. Narendra Singh's family has been informed, and his body has been sent for autopsy. Police have registered a case under Sections 106 and 281 of the BNS.
Time of India
23-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Chandigarh flights to Nanded Sahib & Ayodhya on cards
Chandigarh: In a push to enhance regional and religious tourism connectivity, Punjab governor and UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria proposed the introduction of direct flights from Chandigarh to Nanded Sahib and Ayodhya. He raised the request during a meeting with Union civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu held recently in the national capital. The governor also urged the minister to restore flight services to Udaipur, Dehradun, Amritsar, and other destinations that were previously connected to Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Chandigarh, but have since been suspended. Highlighting the strategic importance of Chandigarh airport, Kataria said it acts as a vital aviation hub for Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. He underscored the growing demand for improved domestic and international air connectivity from the region's residents. "Direct connectivity to destinations like Nanded Sahib, a significant pilgrimage site for Sikhs, and Ayodhya, now a prominent spiritual destination, will cater to both religious and tourism-related travel," Kataria noted. He also emphasised that boosting air links will help spur economic activity, promote trade, and support the region's development goals. In response, minister Naidu assured that the civil aviation ministry would actively explore the proposals and work with all stakeholders, including airlines and airport authorities, to expand route networks and improve passenger amenities at the Chandigarh airport.
News18
19-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Punjab Governor Meets Union Civil Aviation Minister To Discuss Enhanced Connectivity At Chandigarh Airport
According to an official release, during the meeting, the Governor discussed the need to strengthen both domestic and international air connectivity from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport in Chandigarh, given the growing demand from residents of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the UT of Chandigarh. He highlighted that Chandigarh Airport serves as a crucial gateway for the entire northern region, especially for the people of Punjab and the adjoining areas. Kataria emphasised that enhanced connectivity, particularly direct international flights, would significantly boost tourism, facilitate business travel, and support the economic aspirations of the region. The Union Minister assured that the Ministry would actively explore possibilities and work with all stakeholders, including airlines and airport operators, to improve connectivity and upgrade passenger facilities at the airport. The meeting marked a constructive step towards strengthening the aviation infrastructure and expanding Chandigarh's global and domestic reach. Earlier on Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann sought the intervention of Union Food Minister Pralhad Joshi for the release of the state's pending share of over Rs 9,000 crore related to the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Market Fees. According to a Punjab government release, during a meeting at the Minister's residence, the Chief Minister raised the issue of non-allowance of RDF since KMS 2021-22 and insufficient allowance of Market Fees since RMS 2022-23. The Chief Minister emphasised that the purpose of RDF is to promote agriculture and rural infrastructure, including the development of rural roads, marketing infrastructure, storage facilities in mandis, and automation and mechanisation of mandis. He said that despite amending the Punjab Rural Development Act, 1987, in accordance with the Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) guidelines, the RDF has not been released since KMS 2021-22.
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chandigarh's airport puzzle: Old terminal may fly again as shortcut plan crashes
1 2 Chandigarh: Not getting its way on the shorter route to the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, the Chandigarh administration is now eyeing a throwback solution — reopening the old airport terminal. Attending the 'Northern Region Ministers Conference on Civil Aviation' in Dehradun on Friday, UT chief secretary Rajeev Verma formally proposed reviving the old terminal, which lies just 6 km from Sector 17, compared to the 21 km trek to Mohali's terminal. The move could dramatically cut travel time for city residents. The administration also sought more international flights from the airport. "It is the first time the administration has formally proposed reopening the old airport terminal. It will sharply reduce the distance for the city residents to the airport," said a UT official. The old airport terminal was shut down for civil passengers after the Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (SBSIAC) Chandigarh, having a terminal in Mohali, became operational in 2015. The old terminal was a civil enclave within the Chandigarh Air Force Station. "The demand for the operationalisation of the old Chandigarh airport has been consistently made by different sections of city residents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is your tinnitus getting worse? Do this immediately (Watch) Hearing Magazine Undo The demand increased after the plans for the alternative shorter route to the international airport didn't take off," said the official. Chandigarh MP Manish Tewari has also been demanding the operationalisation of the old Chandigarh airport. He raised the issue in Parliament in 2024. In response to Tewari's question on the re-operationalisation of the old airport, on Dec 19, 2024, minister of state for civil aviation Murlidhar Mohol said there was no proposal to make the old terminal operational for passenger movement. The administration has been raising the demand for a shorter route to the new international airport for several years but with little success. The matter is also pending in the Punjab and Haryana high court. On the directions of the high court, a proposal for the shorter route to the new international airport was finalised, and even the land acquisition process was started by Chandigarh. But the proposed shorter route got a major setback when the Chandigarh International Airport Ltd (CHIAL) resolved that in the interest of the airport with respect to future growth for the next 30-40 years, the land in respect of the construction of the road from Chandigarh to the airport should be utilised for some other purpose which would be beneficial for the CHIAL as the proposal to construct an alternate route by the UT Administration would hinder future expansion/growth of the airport. Notably, previously, CHIAL had agreed to the proposal of the Chandigarh Administration to grant permission to use CHIAL land for the construction of the road from Chandigarh to the airport. Punjab has also been reluctant in pursuing the shorter-route project. The Chandigarh Administration had finalised a tentative proposal to provide an alternate route for SBSIAC Chandigarh from Purv Marg (Jn-63) having a total length of 3.5 km. The alternate route will reduce the travel distance from 11.6 km to 3.5 km (from the junction).
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Punjab's urbanisation drive: Land rush or land loss?
Located just 9.6 km from Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, Patton—a village in Mohali district—has seen a dramatic transformation. Once a quiet hamlet, its 800 acres of farmland have turned into a goldmine for residents. Urbanisation began in neighbouring villages around seven years ago, after large-scale land acquisitions, and soon Patton came into the spotlight. Realtors, sensing the village's potential, began buying up every kanal of agricultural land at skyrocketing prices, as high as Rs 70 lakh, leaving local landowners flush with cash. That foresight is now paying off. Patton is among eight villages in Mohali whose land has been earmarked under the Punjab government's newly launched voluntary land pooling policy. In Mohali, 3,535 acres across Patton, Kurdi, Siaun, Bari, Bakarpur, Matran, Kishanpura, and Chhat have been identified by the government for the expansion of its futuristic city project, the Aerotropolis. 'Ever since the word spread that land in the village would be acquired, I saw a recent deal for one kanal close at Rs 1.18 crore. That makes it almost Rs 9 crore for an acre. For farmers, it's like hitting the jackpot,' said Maninder Singh, the lambardar of the village. However, the residents have declared they will not offer their land to the government. 'It's not about any other reason. It's the new policy that doesn't offer any commercial site to landowners pooling just three kanals. Many landowners in the village own only one kanal. The government is offering just a 150-square-yard residential plot for one kanal. One must have four kanals to get a 100-square-yard commercial plot. This is not acceptable to us. Residents of all eight villages have come together and written to GMADA and the government that we won't offer our land for pooling,' Maninder told The Indian Express. The affluence in these villages is evident from the mansion-like houses that greet visitors. Farmers have not only built palatial homes with their earnings but also expanded their holdings by buying land near smaller cities. The government invited farmers to voluntarily offer land through a newspaper advertisement on Sunday. Maninder himself sold three acres in the village three years ago. 'I purchased 16 acres near Nabha in exchange. I've multiplied my land. The only problem is, it's too far, and I can't farm it myself. I've given it on contract at Rs 1 lakh per acre. Here, I need commercial spaces. Otherwise, what will I do after all my agricultural land is acquired? We won't offer our land unless the government changes the policy.' A similar grievance is voiced by Manjit Singh, a young farmer. 'I have 12 acres. The government has sent me a notice saying all my land falls under the urbanisation plan. What will I do after my land is acquired? We're not going to give it,' he said. Sukhchain Singh, another farmer with 18 acres, echoed the sentiment. Patton is among nearly 130 villages across Punjab that will soon see massive urban, housing, and commercial development. The government has initiated a mammoth exercise to acquire over 40,000 acres of agricultural land under its newly framed land pooling policy. So far, the government has invited farmers to offer 15,839 acres in 76 villages, but it is yet to invite farmers in Ludhiana district, where 23,073 acres across 44 villages have been identified. In Mohali, another 10 villages covering 2,500 acres have been listed. The scale of this plan has prompted protests from experts and economists, who argue that such wide-scale urbanisation of villages should be avoided, and vertical development prioritised instead. Ludhiana district, which will see the largest impact 44 villages affected has already seen farmer protests, even though invitations for land pooling there have yet to begin. 'We'll be doing that soon. We were waiting for the Ludhiana West by-election to conclude. The identification is done. Farmers from Ludhiana will be invited in a few days,' a government official told The Indian Express. This is the first time Punjab is witnessing such a large-scale acquisition of land for development. The last such exercise was undertaken during the 2007–2012 SAD-BJP regime to set up private thermal power plants. Punjab has 1.25 crore acres of land, out of which almost 1 crore acres is under agriculture. Nearly 130 villages with nearly 40,000 acres of land are set to be consumed by urbanisation. Experts have raised serious concerns. 'Acquiring huge chunks of agricultural land is wrong. If you visit Ludhiana, you'll see many properties lying vacant. Just boundary walls, no homes. That means such massive housing isn't required. Yet, the government is acquiring even more land. It should rethink the policy,' said noted economist SS Johl. 'The government should consider vertical housing instead of acquiring fertile land. When Chandigarh was developed, less fertile villages were chosen. That should've been the practice here too. Former Chief Minister Partap Singh Kairon planned for drinking water from surface sources because those areas lacked groundwater. That was vision,' said a senior government official, requesting anonymity. 'By diverting nearly 40,000 acres from agriculture to cities, we'll lose almost 1.5 lakh tonnes of paddy production. Unfortunately, most of this land is fertile,' the official added. Residents offer resistance Farmers from over 35 Ludhiana villages held a protest outside the GLADA office on June 16, alleging the land pooling policy was being pushed by the government in collusion with corporates and land mafias. 'Land pooling is aimed at erasing the identity of our villages. Why does the government need more land for housing when many projects already lie unused? We will not allow this,' said Manjeet Singh Jodhan. Balwinder Singh, an activist with Punjab Lok Lehar, said, 'We have submitted a memorandum seeking cancellation of this policy. Urbanisation of fertile villages is unacceptable. Most families here depend on agriculture. Where will they go once the land is gone?' He added: 'The rural economy depends on agriculture. If land vanishes, what happens to the economy? What about MGNREGA? It will cease in these villages. Farmers and labourers don't have other skills. Where will they go? How will they be rehabilitated? Why isn't that part of the policy? Punjab is already 42% urbanised, higher than the national average of 31%. Why urbanise more villages?' The 'voluntary land pooling' The government has defended its acquisition drive, stating that under the 2025 Land Pooling Policy, landowners can voluntarily decide whether or not to participate. The policy is aimed at involving landowners, promoters, and companies as stakeholders in development, and to boost participation in pooling. The government says the revised scheme benefits small and marginal farmers more, with added options and incentives to promote group housing and planned development. The policy covers residential, commercial, and institutional sectors. Landowners can pool from one kanal to 50 acres. For each kanal pooled, a 150-square-yard residential plot will be given. For those contributing 4 kanals, the reward is a 500-square-yard residential plot and a 100-square-yard commercial plot. For one acre pooled, a 1,000-square-yard residential plot and a 200-square-yard commercial plot will be offered. In the industrial and institutional sectors, one acre pooled earns a 1,600-square-yard developed site. For two kanals, the reward is a 400-square-yard industrial plot. For five kanals, it's 1,000 square yards each at industrial and institutional sites. For eight kanals, landowners receive 1,600 square yards each in both categories. The policy also addresses landowners with holdings between 9 and 50 acres, offering a single consolidated plot instead of fragmented ones. This, the government says, will reduce development charges and make it easier to sell the land. The value of these plots, the government claims, will be up to four times the market rate. Each farmer will receive a document detailing their full entitlement. They can opt for two plots of 500 square yards and are free to retain or sell them. The larger the land contribution, the greater the profit. Challenges The voluntary policy has been introduced toward the fag end of the government's term. According to sources, it helps bypass the long timeline required for traditional acquisition. But the policy is fraught with challenges. 'If the government plans a housing project over a large area, and only some farmers offer their land, there will be no continuity. Such hurdles are real. It remains to be seen how these will be resolved,' said a senior official. Activist Balwinder Singh questioned the policy's longevity. 'What happens if the Aam Aadmi Party isn't re-elected in 2027? What will be the fate of these projects? We don't know what the next government will do.'
