In a significant move to bolster support for Punjabis and NRIs traveling through New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday announced the establishment of a special facilitation centre at Terminal-III. This initiative aimed to streamline the airport experience for the Punjabi community and provide a range of essential services to assist travelers with their various needs.
The facilitation centre, which will operate 24X7, is a product of a recent agreement between the Punjab Government and GMR, the company managing the airport’s facilities. This strategic partnership is designed to enhance the travel experience for NRIs and other passengers by addressing issues such as connecting flights, taxi services, and lost luggage.
The centre will also be equipped with two Innova cars to help with local transportation, ensuring that travelers can easily move between the airport and locations such as Punjab Bhawan and other nearby sites.
In addition to these services, the centre will provide emergency accommodation at Punjab Bhawan in Delhi, depending on room availability. This aspect of the service underscores the government’s commitment to addressing unforeseen challenges that travelers might face. A dedicated helpline number (011-61232182) has also been set up to offer round-the-clock assistance, further ensuring that support is readily available.
The Punjabi diaspora is notably vibrant and well-represented internationally, particularly in Canada, where Punjabis make up about 2.6 percent of the population. The largest communities are found in Ontario — with 3,97,867 Punjabis as of 2021 (making up 2.84 per cent of the overall population); and British Columbia — home to 6.41 per cent of the overall population, reflecting the strong global presence and significant contribution of Punjabis to international communities.
Around 85 per cent of South Asians in British Columbia are Punjabi Sikhs, including former premier of British Columbia, Ujjal Dosanjh and leader of the federal New Democratic Party (NDP), MP for Burnaby South, Jagmeet Singh.
