Chandigarh: The Army Western Command agreed to transfer two acres of land to Airports Authority of India for the expansion of Chandigarh airport. The land will be transferred after the Army gets approval from the ministry of defence.
The land offered to the UT will enable it to widen the narrow approach road to the existing terminal of Chandigarh airport. As of now, the road could not be widened because land on either side belongs to the Army. The decision was taken at a civil military liaison conference held between the Western Command headquarters and the administration. It was convened by UT administrator Shivraj Patil. GOC-in-C, Western Command Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra was also in attendance.
Additional land will help widen the approach road and create additional parking space outside the civil terminal. The UT had been requesting the army for the exchange of land, as entrance to the civil terminal could not be widened and beautified. The narrow approach road also caused traffic congestion. Regarding the transfer of Kendriya Vidyalaya land in Sector 47 on lease to the Air Force, the UT promised to ensure early transfer of land. Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra asked the UT to allot land to the Armed Forces Tribunal, currently situated on defence land, at an early date to accommodate troops. He also raised the issue of resettlement and job opportunities for ex-servicemen.
24/01/13 Times of India
