New Delhi, December 12
During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha today, MP Rajinder Gupta raised a compelling call for action: the urgent expansion of international flight connectivity from Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali. He stressed that, despite being one of North India’s most modern and well-equipped aviation hubs, its international operations remain disproportionately limited—far short of the airport’s true capacity and regional importance.
Gupta underscored that Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali already manages close to 10,000 passengers daily and boasts a state-of-the-art terminal designed to handle 4.5 million passengers annually. Yet, despite this immense capacity, the airport is currently restricted to just two international routes—Dubai and Abu Dhabi—amounting to a mere nine international movements per week. For an aviation hub catering to the vast populations of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, such meager connectivity is not only inadequate but starkly misaligned with the region’s genuine travel demands and global aspirations.
Gupta stressed that the broader catchment of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali encompasses a staggering 60 million people, including one of the largest NRI communities worldwide. He highlighted the exceptionally high travel demand to destinations such as the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Singapore, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. Yet, in the absence of direct international connectivity from Mohali, passengers—whether students, professionals, workers, businesses, or families—are forced to undertake long, exhausting journeys to Delhi or Amritsar just to access global flights. This not only inflates travel time and costs, but also intensifies congestion, environmental strain, and needless fatigue, undermining the airport’s true potential as a gateway for North India’s global aspirations.
Gupta asserted that direct air connectivity to global hubs such as London, Toronto, and Singapore would be a game-changer—dramatically improving convenience for millions of travelers while elevating the region’s economic and strategic stature. He emphasised that the Tri-City area of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula has swiftly evolved into a powerhouse for Business, IT, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), medical tourism, and start-up innovation. Strengthened international access, he argued, would not only accelerate this dynamic growth but also unlock new avenues for trade, investment, and employment, firmly positioning the region as a global gateway for North India.
Gupta further informed the House that Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh International Airport, Mohali ranks among the finest AI-managed airports in India, having secured a top-tier ASQ score of 5—a clear testament to its operational excellence and readiness for expanded international traffic. He added that Chandigarh’s strategic military importance amplifies the urgency for stronger global connectivity, ensuring not only civilian convenience but also robust support for defence-related logistics and national security imperatives.
In light of these compelling factors, Gupta urged the Government to move with urgency and precision. He pressed for the commissioning of an independent route-viability audit, the fast-tracking of terminal and customs upgrades and the securing of extended operational windows and airspace clearances. Gupta further called for incentives to airlines to launch priority international routes spanning Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. His impassioned plea was clear: the region must be granted the global connectivity it rightfully deserves, unlocking its full potential as a gateway for millions of travelers and a driver of trade, investment, and strategic growth.
