HC asks Joint Secy of MoD to appear before Bench

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 14

The Punjab and Haryana High Court today asked the Joint Secretary (Air), Union Ministry of Defence, to appear before the Bench to explain why a joint coordination committee could not look into issues such as land acquisition for the construction of a new runway with CAT-3 facilities, resurfacing of runway and extended runway at the Chandigarh international airport. The Bench also asked MoD secretary to intervene for speeding up the process to hold the meeting.

The court was also told that Delhi Metro Railway Corporation (DMRC) would start its survey within 15 days regarding the construction of an underpass to connect the Chandigarh International Airport from Panchkula side.

The High Court, on February 13, was told that a joint coordination committee, comprising Secretaries, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Defence would look into all issues, including land acquisition for the construction of a new runway with CAT-III facilities, resurfacing of the runway and extended runway at the airport.

As the matter came up for resumed hearing before the Bench, Assistant Solicitor General of India, Chetan Mittal, told the court that the meeting could not be held. Mittal, at the same time, apprised the Bench of his efforts and communications sent to the Defence Ministry regarding holding of the meeting.

Referring to the issue of facilities at the airport, Mittal told the Bench that an ATM by the State Bank of India had been made operational. Two more ATMs by the Oriental Bank of Commerce were in the process of being installed.

The Bench was informed that Wi-Fi facility at the airport had been provided. The High Court was earlier told that the air force authorities had agreed to Haryana’s demand for direct connectivity of the state with the Chandigarh International Airport. Haryana will now have an access to the airport through an underpass on the National Highway-21.

The development is significant as travelling time to reach Chandigarh International Airport from Panchkula side will be reduced by around 20 minutes. Currently, the passengers from Haryana side have to go to Mohali side for reaching the airport.

The Bench was told that a consensus on an underpass was reached at a joint meeting of the Indian Air Force, the Airport Authority of India and the state governments of Punjab and Haryana.