Harsimrat Kaur urges minister for flights from Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Bathinda to Nanded

PTC News Desk: Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Member of Parliament from Bathinda, Punjab, and former Union Minister, recently met with the Civil Aviation Minister to discuss the urgent need for enhanced air connectivity from Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Bathinda to Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded, Maharashtra.

In her meeting, Harsimrat Kaur Badal highlighted the historical significance and strategic importance of Bathinda, which has long served as a vital hub connecting various districts across Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. She noted that Bathinda is home to significant installations such as Asia’s largest Army Cantonment, an Air Force Station, a Central University, a major Oil Refinery, three thermal power plants, and the holy Takhat of the Sikhs—Sri Dam Dama Sahib.

She expressed concern over the suspension of the Delhi-Bathinda-Jammu flight, which had previously operated with high occupancy rates. While a new Bathinda-Hindon-Bathinda flight was introduced in September 2023, she emphasized the need for the resumption of the Delhi-Bathinda-Delhi route with Alliance Air, along with the introduction of daily flights under the regional connectivity scheme UDAN.

Furthermore, Harsimrat Kaur Badal stressed the importance of introducing direct flights from Bathinda to Sri Hazur Sahib in Nanded and Sri Patna Sahib in Patna, to facilitate easy access for the Sikh community to these holy sites. She also urged the government to consider upgrading Bathinda Airport to an international facility, with direct flights to Canada, given the large number of students and families from the region residing there.

Her appeal to the Civil Aviation Minister is rooted in the belief that improved air connectivity will significantly contribute to the region’s economic and social development, addressing the long-standing needs of the people in this strategically crucial area.

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