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Call for modernisation of Amritsar airport

       Amritsar: Former cricketer and BJP Lok Sabha MP of Amritsar, Navjot Singh Sidhu, today urged the Centre to provide more facilities at the Amritsar airport. Inaugurating the Amritsar-Dubai flight launched by the Air India Express, Sidhu, along with Rajya Sabha Member from Punjab M S Gill, said that it was shameful that the airport of such international importance had no sufficient hangar and air bridges. "Amritsar airport can easily afford to share four per cent congestion of Delhi airport. Jet Airways is also set to launch its flight but there is no hangar and air bridge, whereas at Bangkok airport, which is a perfect example of modern airport, there are 4,000 air bridges. This is shame on us," he said. Sidhu went on to say that the airport needed 4,000 acre land, adding, "if it would be developed, I am sure, it will give a quick boom to the economy". Gill, in his address, appealed to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to visit the airport in person for a first hand experience of the airport's requirements. "I appeal to the Government of India, especially to the Civil Aviation Minister, who never comes here, (to visit the airport). I also want to appeal to the Prime Minister that please come (to Amritsar) before December and inaugurate this little airport. When he comes, I am sure, he will also be compelled to say that let's give them one thousand crore rupees," said Gill. The Air India Express is scheduled to be thrice-a-week flight. The 185-seater Boeing 737-800 aircraft will depart from Amritsar on every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 1125 hours (local time) and will arrive at Dubai at 1310 hours (local time). The return journeys of the flight are scheduled on every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. .
-Oct 3,  2006

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