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Title: Need to set up a civil airport at Bhatinda in Punjab.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri V. Vetriselvan, Shri D. Venugopal, Dr. A.D.K. Jayaseelan, Shri E. Ponnuswamy, Shri P.D. Elangovan, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, Shri M. Master Mathan, Shri E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, all of you will be associated with this. Please take your seats.
SHRI BHAN SINGH BHAURA (BHATINDA): Mr. Speaker, Sir, it is a well-known fact that Bhatinda is the biggest Railway Station in North India. The importance of the place can be understood from the following facts. The biggest Ammunition Depot of the Army is located in Bhatinda. This place also houses two factories of National Fertiliser Limited. The Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery is coming up in this place. Besides this, Bhatinda is the biggest business centre in the region. The people of this place have to go either to Amritsar or Chandigarh to avail the air service. It takes about four to five hours to reach either place. Moreover, there is already an airport in existence here, though under Defence. So, to start a civil airport, it will take less effort and also the airport will become viable. I would also like to add that not having an airport in such an important place is a hindrance for growth and development especially in the present age of technology.
Therefore, I would request the hon. Minister of Civil Aviation to take necessary action at his Ministryâs level so that the work to start the civil airport at Bhatinda is started in right earnest.