Amritsar/Chandigarh, April 7: A fresh political dispute has emerged between Union Minister of State Ravneet Bittu and Punjab Cabinet Minister Sanjeev Arora regarding the operational timings at Halwara Airport. The disagreement surfaced following an announcement by Bittu regarding a rescheduled flight plan intended for public convenience, which was promptly refuted by Arora.
Minister Bittu declared that an updated schedule would take effect on May 15, 2026, featuring daily flights between Delhi and Halwara. According to the Minister, the new arrangement would see arrivals in Halwara at 9:45 AM and 2:10 PM, with departures to the capital scheduled for 10:25 AM and 2:40 PM. He maintained that these shifts were designed to better serve the residents of Ludhiana.
However, Minister Sanjeev Arora asserted that no such changes have been authorized. He maintained that the original morning schedule remains in place, with the first flight departing Delhi at 5:55 AM. “Who are we to announce the change in timings, let Air India decide, and as per it, there’s no change in timings,” Arora stated, urging other leaders to avoid creating unnecessary public confusion.
The conflicting claims have caused significant frustration among local stakeholders. Pankaj Sharma, president of the Associations of Trade and Industrial Undertakings (ATIU), noted that the inconsistent information is detrimental to the business community. “The flights have not even started but we hear about change in timings every day,” Sharma affirmed. While the central and state representatives remain at odds, residents continue to seek clarity on the final operational framework for the much-anticipated airport.
