Halwara Air Force Station

Coordinates: 30°44′55″N 75°37′47″E / 30.74861°N 75.62972°E / 30.74861; 75.62972
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Halwara Air Force Station
  • AMSL
790 ft / 241.5 m
Coordinates30°44′55″N 75°37′47″E / 30.74861°N 75.62972°E / 30.74861; 75.62972
Runways
Direction Length Surface
ft m
13/31 10,629 3,240 Asphalt

Halwara Air Force Station is an Indian Air Force (IAF) base near Halwara town in Punjab, India. It is one of the oldest frontline airbases of the IAF and was actively involved in both, 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak conflicts because of its strategic location. It is home to the 220 Squadron known as "Desert Tigers" and 221 Squadron known as "Valiants" flying the Sukhoi Su-30MKI.

The

civil enclave at the air base. It will be spread over 135.5 acres and is expected to ready in three years.[1]

History

The airfield was built in 1942 by the Royal Air Force. Halwara was used as an allied Air Force staging base during World War II and was abandoned after the war. Halwara was reactivated under the Indian Air Force on March 16, 1950, and is one of the oldest frontline airbases of the IAF.[2] The base was home to two

Indo-Pak wars. The base housed squadrons of MIG 23 BN for three decades until March 2009 when they were phased out. In September 2012, Halwara inducted its first squadron of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI becoming the first air base in the Western Air Command to operate the aircraft.[3]

Ludhiana International Airport

In December 2018, the

Joint Venture Company (JVC), formed with the majority of 51% stake of AAI and 49% stake of the State Government through the Greater Ludhiana Development Authority (GLADA), will execute the project. The Government of Punjab will provide 135.54 acres of land by way of its equity in the project, while AAI will bear the costs of developing the airport. The first phase is expected to be completed within three years and will allow for operations of Code 4C type of aircraft. It will be built at a cost of ₹ 46.91 crore and the total covered area of the interim building will be 2,000 sq.m. It will have a seating capacity for 300 passengers and a public parking space, which will be able to accommodate 75 cars.[4]

The airport will be accessed with a direct link road to the airport with the upcoming Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway. It is currently being put under proposal by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

As of January 2022, the terminal's construction has been started from December 2021, and the

foundation stone was laid by Dr. Amar Singh on 5 January 2022. The terminal is being constructed by Himachal Pradesh firm Synergy Thrislington of Solan. The terminal is expected to be completed by 30 June 2022.[4][5]

On December 29, 2023, the

Chief Minister expressed expectations that the initiation of flights from Halwara terminal on February 15,2024 would contribute significantly to the economic and industrial activities in the region. He conveyed a strong commitment from the government towards comprehensive development and the prosperity of the state, with a particular emphasis on the anticipated impact of the Halwara airport operations.[6]

References

  1. Times of India
    . 21 December 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  2. ^ "Punjab's Halwara airbase: Tale of 68 years of battles fought and also won wars". Hindustan Times. 16 March 2018. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Induction Ceremony: SU 30 MKI at Air Force Station Halwara". Press Information Bureau. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Greater Ludhiana Development Authority: Punjab inks pact with AAI for Halwara | Chandigarh News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 21 December 2018. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  5. ^ Service, Tribune News. "Himachal Pradesh firm to build interim terminal building of upcoming international airport at Halwara". Tribuneindia News Service. Retrieved 6 January 2022.
  6. ^ Service, Tribune News. "CM Mann announces major infra push for industrial city".
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