A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the state Cabinet. The Cabinet also approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to be signed between the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) on January 4 in the presence of Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.

Chandigarh Airport Controller Suneel Dutt told The Indian Express said, “Prior to the signing of the MoU, the Union Minister will lay the foundation stone of the new terminal building of the airport.”

The Housing and Urban Development Department will arrange the funds for the acquisition of over 300 acres of land. The other allied expenditure beyond the scope of the cost of the land acquisition will be arranged through its agencies GMADA, Punjab Urban Development Authority (PUDA) and Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority. The Department of Civil Aviation will issue all notifications for the acquisition of land.

According to officials, international fights will start to take off from Chandigarh probably from next year as per the plan. This will be done even before the upcoming airport becomes operational.

Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had recently met Union Defence Minister A.K. Antony in New Delhi for expediting various clearances, including the one required for the landing of civilian international flights, as the project is contiguous to the Air Force station in Chandigarh for using its airstrip. The airstrip of the airbase will be extended as per the feasibility report and put to use, a senior AAI official said.