PM Modi to Virtually Inaugurate Halwara Airport on Feb 1

January 28, 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to virtually inaugurate the long‑awaited Halwara International Airport in Ludhiana, Punjab, on February 1, 2026, marking a major milestone in the region’s aviation infrastructure development. The announcement was confirmed by senior officials in Chandigarh, underscoring the significance of the event after years of project delays.

Preparations Underway in Punjab

To ensure smooth execution of the virtual inauguration ceremony, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has convened a high‑level meeting in Chandigarh to review preparations and coordinate logistics for February 1. Officials say that all arrangements are being put in place for the Prime Minister’s remote participation.

Long Road to Completion

The Halwara Airport project now officially named Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha International Airport has faced repeated delays, missing more than a dozen scheduled inauguration dates since its conception. Initial plans had projected an earlier launch, but construction setbacks and procedural hurdles pushed back the timeline.

The airport, located about 32 kilometers from Ludhiana city, has been built to enhance passenger and cargo connectivity in one of Punjab’s key industrial hubs and is expected to serve both civil and commercial aviation needs once flight operations commence.

What Comes Next

With the virtual inauguration set, stakeholders are now looking toward the next crucial step: operationalizing the airport for commercial flights. Local officials, airlines and regulatory bodies including the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will need to complete final certifications and clearances before flights can begin.