Hisar inches closer to international airport

airport

Haryana has taken a step forward to upgrade its aviation infrastructure by inviting Global Expression of Interest to develop integrated aviation hub in Hisar. The state government has envisaged an ambitious project to put the state on world aviation map by developing aviation hub which will have Passenger Airport, Fixed Base Operation, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), Cargo, Defense Manufacturing, Aerospace Manufacturing, Aviation Training Centre, Aviation University, Aerotropolis – Commercial and Aerotropolis – Residential.
The hub will be developed through private participation and will be Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis. The last date for submission of Expression of Interest is March 31,2017 . An official spokesperson of the government said that “the project is intended to be developed through Indian and overseas companies either as a single entity or as a consortium for a period of 30 years. The Government owned available land measuring about 3,000 acres adjoining the Hisar airfield has been earmarked for this project.”
The plan for an international airport in Hisar got a boost after the BJP government came into power. The new government allocated Rs 50 crore especially for the development of airport in Hisar last year.
The airport has an interesting history. Spread over 194 acres in 1965 the airfield was developed for Hisar Aviation Club and was merged with Haryana Institute of Civil Aviation in 1999 which now manages the airport. The transformation of airfield into aviation hub began in 2011 when the government invited Request for Qualification from commercial entities for developing the hub on public private partnership basis.
About five years ago, the state government got a nod from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation allowing domestic airline services. While the airport’s night flying equipment was upgraded plan was made to extend its 4000 feet runway to 6000 feet.
With a BJP government both at the Centre and in the state, the airport was announced to be turned into an international airport in December 2014. The fact that Hisar is a counter magnet city within National Capital Region and is on the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Project has also given an impetus to the proposal.