Air Force illegally occupying airport space,says Sidhu

Navjot Singh Sidhu,member of Parliament from Amritsar,on Monday,said that the Indian Air Force had been “illegally occupying” acres of land belonging to Amritsar International Airport (AIA) and in the process was coming in the way of the airport’s sustainable development. “A good airport is measured in terms of kilometres and not square yards,” Sidhu said,justifying the demand for expansion of the airport.

Talking to mediapersons after chairing a meeting of AIA advisory committee,Sidhu said he would take up the matter with Civil Aviation Minister and the Defence Minister. Sidhu said that IAF can afford to shift to an alternate location offered by the airport authorities.

Sidhu also alleged that a deliberate attempt was being made by the Centre to benefit private players at the cost of regional airports of Airports Authority of India (AAI). He claimed that out of 11 international flights that started operations recently none were allocated to AAI. “It is a conspiracy. It is a sin. It is a criminal offence. There should be more flights to the place,where 1.25 lakh devotees pay obeisance at the Golden Temple.” Sidhu said.