Punjab: PM Modi inaugurates civil terminal of Halwara airport
Renames Adampur airport after Guru Ravidas
Jalandhar (Punjab) (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday unveiled the new name of the Adampur airport here as Sri Guru Ravidass Maharaj Ji Airport, Adampur and also virtually inaugurated the terminal building at the Halwara airport in Ludhiana.
The prime minister reached the Adampur airport at around 3.45 pm from Delhi following the presentation of the Union Budget in Parliament.
Modi would also be visiting Dera Sachkhand Ballan here on the occasion of the 649th birth anniversary of Guru Ravidas.
Meanwhile, the PM virtually inaugurated the terminal building of the Halwara airport in Ludhiana, which will further advance aviation infrastructure in Punjab.
Developed at the Indian Air Force base in Halwara in the Raikot subdivision, the civil terminal is expected to significantly enhance air connectivity and boost industrial and economic growth in the region.
The airport's terminal building project is a Rs 54.67-crore joint venture between the Punjab government and the Airports Authority of India.
On the occasion, Union Civil Aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu and other dignitaries were present at the Halwara airport in Ludhiana.
Tight security arrangements have been made for PM Modi's Jalandhar visit.
The operationalization of Halwara airport's terminal building is expected to enhance air connectivity in the region significantly, providing a boost to industrial activity, tourism, healthcare, and education, and thereby contributing to the overall socio-economic development of Punjab, officials said.
Earlier, the airport at Ludhiana had a relatively small runway, suitable for small-sized aircraft. To improve connectivity and accommodate larger planes, a new civil enclave has been developed at Halwara which has a longer runway capable of handling A320-type aircraft, the officials said.
Aligned with Prime Minister's vision of sustainable and environmentally responsible development, the terminal incorporates several green and energy-efficient features, including LED lighting, insulated roofing, rainwater harvesting systems, sewage and water treatment plants, and the use of recycled water for landscaping.
The architectural design reflects Punjab's rich cultural heritage, offering passengers a distinctive and regionally inspired travel experience.
The terminal building at Halwara, having built up area of 2,000 square metres with associated apron and other infrastructure has been developed at a cost of Rs 54.67 crore, with a peak-hour capacity of about 300 passengers and an annual handling capability of up to two lakh passengers.
The air connectivity from Ludhiana has been one of the major demands of the city-based industrialists who either have to take flights from Delhi, Chandigarh or Amritsar.
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
