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Punjabi Diaspora questions State govt’s disregard for Amritsar aiport
According to the diaspora the Punjab government does not prioritize the airport within its own State or the development of Amritsar's infrastructure.
Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener, FlyAmritsar Initiative / Image - Supplied
The FlyAmritsar Initiative and the Amritsar Vikas Manch, two Punjabi diaspora organizations have voiced concern over the Bhagwat Mann led state government’s unjust treatment towards Amritsar. Their reaction comes after the government flew a delegation of school principals to Singapore from the Delhi International airport instead of the State’s own Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International airport in Amritsar.
In a joint press statement Sameep Singh Gumtala, the global convener for the FlyAmritsar Initiative and Anantdeep Singh Dhillon, overseas secretary of the Amritsar Vikas Manch, both residents of Amritsar now based in the USA and Canada respectively said that the Amritsar airport offers five direct flights a week operated by Singapore Airlines subsidiary Scoot.
Expressing their utter dismay at the government’s utilization of resources, they said, “We have been tirelessly advocating for the airport's growth, and this decision of using Delhi airport time and again undermines our efforts. It sends a message that the Mann government does not prioritize the airport within its own State or the development of Amritsar's infrastructure.”
Gumtala and Dhillon noted that while the Punjab Government is taking commendable steps in building more airports in the State including Halwara, encouraging flights from Chandigarh Airport and starting bus services from various cities of Punjab to Delhi Airport, the lack of acknowledgement and support for Amritsar Airport is evident above all.
“Amritsar, with its rich historical and cultural significance, has long been grappling with the absence of a dedicated bus service connecting the airport to the city and other parts of Punjab. This glaring gap reflects the government’s neglect of our city’s fundamental needs, leading to a suboptimal travel experience for tourists and travelers,” said Gumtala.
In addition to these concerns, Dhillon voiced his concern regarding the suspension of local BRTS services in Amritsar, highlighting the significant inconvenience faced by residents and tourists. He called upon the elected representatives of the region to address these critical issues and urged the government to focus on enhancing the city’s public transport infrastructure to facilitate the daily commute of its citizens.
The FlyAmritsar Initiative and AVM urged the Mann Government to reevaluate its approach towards the development of Amritsar, take immediate action to establish a reliable and efficient bus service from the airport, reinstate the BRTS bus service, utilize Amritsar airport for the international travel needs of state government officials and promote the airport.
The FlyAmritsar Initiative is a prominent civil society advocacy dedicated to the development and expansion of Amritsar airport as a major regional and international gateway. The Amritsar Vikas Manch, a prominent non-profit organization committed to the sustainable growth of Amritsar, has been advocating for better connectivity and accessibility to the airport for facilitating tourism and economic growth of the region.
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