It’s a good news for Hisar people to cheer about as the city would get a state-of-the-art international airport soon. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has given a go-ahead to the Haryana Government’s proposal to develop an international airport at Hisar to connect the state with various domestic and international flights.
The move of the Government is aimed at connecting world tourists with India through its flagship regional flying scheme to attract more airlines and helicopter operators to participate in regional connectivity scheme (RCS) in the country.
As per the proposal sent by Haryana government to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Hisar airport is the prestigious project of the state and it would be set up in over 4,200 acres of government land. The state government led by Manoharlal Khattar has earmarked about Rs 100 crore for this project.
Confirming the development, top sources in the Ministry of Civil Aviation told The Pioneer that the Ministry has given a go-ahead to the feasibility report of Haryana government to develop an airport at Hisar.
As per the sources, the airport has an administration block, two new hangers, two renovated hangers of 85’x72’ and 96’x70’ size, a newly constructed VIP lounge and renovated hostel for aviation club students. Presently, Delhi Flying Club operates from Hisar airport only.
The existing airstrip is spread on 3,000 acres of government-owned land. Hisar airport was having 194 acres of land and the state government had identified an additional land of 3,200 acres adjoining the aerodrome for airport development.
The Government wants to tap the 40 million population of national capital region to meet their needs of daily-use food items like milk, vegetables and fruits. “With the proposed airport, there is lot of potential in setting up food processing units in the industrial estates at Barhi and Rai in Sonipat district,” sources added.
The Hisar district of the state is at close proximity to Delhi and has direct linkage with the national capital through Kundali-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway. “The state government has an aim to develop Hisar airport as one of the biggest airports in the country with best available facilities. Due to its close proximity to neighbouring airports and states including the national capital region, Hisar could also serve as a potential location for commercial development,” said the sources.
According to Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapati Raju, 17 applicants, including airline and chopper companies, were sent their proposals for a total of 502 routes in the second phase of the scheme. “In 70 years of independence, we had 70 active airports. With Udan, we will make 80 more airports active within one year,” the minister had said.
The Government is, however, expected to award the air routes by the latter part of December 2017. In the first phase, contracts to five companies were awarded to operate flight services on 128 routes to 70 airports.
The proposed airport site is only 280 kilometres from Chandigarh International Airport, 170 kilometres from Indira Gandhi International Airport at Delhi and 280 kilometres from Taj International Airport — the second airport for NCR at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh. The airport is about 1km from the Guru Jambheshwar University of Science and Technology; 2km from the Blue Bird lake; 4km from the bus station along the National Highway 10, 5 km from the town center and main market area around Firoz Shah Palace Complex, 6km from the Hisar Junction railway station, 7km from Mahabir Stadium, 11km from Hisar Military Station.
According to Haryana government officials, Hisar airfield, spread over 194 acres (79 hactare), was built for the Hisar Aviation Club in 1965. In 1999, Hisar Aviation Club was merged with Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation (HICA). The airport is managed by HICA, which provides flight training using light aircraft. In 1970-71, a privately managed air service was introduced from Delhi-Patiala-Hisar and Delhi which was terminated after a period of about 6 months due to being financially unviable. In 2002, the Delhi Flying Club (DFC) shifted all its flying activities and aircraft to Hisar from Safdarjung Airport in Delhi.
As far as the Hisar airport project is concerned, the previous Congress government had proposed a Greenfield cargo airport at the tri-junction of Rohtak, Hisar and Bhiwani districts following which Airports Authority of India (AAI) team inspected the site in June 2010. The state government subsequently filed an application with the Civil Aviation Ministry for formal approval of the project after AAI okayed the proposed site.
In February 2012, the Union Ministry of Defence (MoD) had accorded site clearance for the project. The government in mid-November had said it has received 141 proposals from airlines and chopper companies to operate flight services under the second round of air regional connectivity -- Udan scheme -- that aims to connect unserved and under-served airports.