Punjab's Aviation Hopes Grounded: MLA Pargat Singh Slams Modi's 'Hollow' Visit

Former Education Minister and Congress MLA Pargat Singh has sharply criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Punjab. Singh called the tour a profound disappointment for the state’s residents. He stated that the high expectations for new development evaporated upon the Prime Minister’s departure. The visit brought neither a substantive relief package nor meaningful aviation advancements, according to Singh.

Aviation Connectivity Concerns

The core of the criticism centers on the lack of new flight announcements for two key airports. Neither Adampur Airport nor Halwara Airport secured major new flight services. Singh noted that the recent Union Budget had already sidelined the state.

Adampur Airport Status

Singh welcomed the official renaming of Adampur Airport after Shri Guru Ravidas Ji. However, he insisted that mere nomenclature changes are meaningless without tangible progress. He questioned why the Prime Minister failed to elevate Adampur to international status. Furthermore, direct flights to Delhi remain absent, and the airport is unconnected to other metro cities.

Adampur Airport (Jalandhar) currently operates two flights, including an IndiGo service to Mumbai. It was revamped under the UDAN 5.0 scheme. Earlier connectivity to Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur was discontinued due to low passenger demand. Singh argued that a true priority for Punjab would have included new flight routes. These routes would alleviate burdens for the Doaba region's overseas Indians, industrialists, and entrepreneurs.

Halwara Airport Delays

Prime Minister Modi virtually inaugurated the new civil terminal at Halwara Airport (Ludhiana) during the visit. This new terminal is a joint project between the Punjab government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). It is designed to handle A320-type aircraft, a significant upgrade from the previous Ludhiana airport. Halwara is expected to commence domestic flights to Delhi, likely operated by Air India, starting in March 2026.

Despite the inauguration, Singh highlighted that Halwara has been denied any international connectivity. Reports indicate a protracted two-year delay for such international services to materialize. This inaction, according to Singh, shows a disregard for Punjab’s aspirations.

Broader Economic and Political Critique

Beyond aviation, Pargat Singh excoriated the central government’s response to the state’s financial and disaster crises. He alleged that the state is facing a financial emergency. Following devastating floods, Punjab was awaiting a robust central relief package. Modi’s announcement of a Rs 1,600 crore (approximately $1.6 billion) package was deemed a “derisory sum”. This figure was previously announced for flood-affected Punjab in September 2025.

• The Rs 1,600 crore package was criticized as a token gesture.
• Singh asserted that the central government has chronically neglected Punjab.
• He claimed the BJP prioritised self-preservation over the state's welfare.

Singh concluded that Punjabis have seen through the intentions of the central regime. He asserted that the people of Punjab will soon deliver a resounding rebuke. The ongoing political debate highlights the tension between symbolic gestures and tangible infrastructure development in India’s regional aviation sector. Stakeholders await clarity from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on future international route allocations for Punjab’s airports.

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