The newly operationalised, Halwara civil terminal (Ludhiana airport) sustained structural damage after heavy rains and thunderstorm lashed the city on Saturday, just two weeks after the first flight commenced on May 15.

The Punjab government’s Public Works Department (PWD), that supervised the construction of the terminal building has blamed “strong winds and thunderstorm” for damage and said that immediate repairs were ordered to ensure passenger safety.

The terminal building was constructed by PWD hired private company M/S Synergy Thrislington, based in Himachal Pradesh. The company deals in pre-fabricated steel buildings. The total cost of Halwara airport project was Rs 54 crore, of which Rs 22.50 crore were spent on terminal building and the rest on tarmac area, parking etc.

The airport became operational on May 15, when Air India commenced its inaugural flight service between Halwara and Delhi.

The infrastructural damage to the building came to light on Sunday after passengers and airport staff noticed water leaking from multiple points, along with sections of the false ceiling and roof panels coming off following the heavy downpour.

However, Airport Director Jagir Singh confirmed that no passengers or staff members suffered injuries and that immediate repair work was underway. “Heavy rain and thunderstorms continued throughout the day Saturday, leading to some minor infrastructural damage. Immediate repairs are being executed. The water leakage occurred after a section of the false ceiling was compromised,” he said.

Ludhiana Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Jain said, “I have ordered an inquiry by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Jagraon) to assess the extent of the damage. Immediate repairs have been mandated to ensure passenger safety.”

Speaking to The Indian Express, PWD executive engineer Pardeep Kumar, who supervised the terminal construction, said that the building has not suffered any damage. “It is in good condition and functioning in a satisfactory way. Yesterday, during heavy rain, one aluminum sheet on the outer facade of the building got loose. The matter was immediately brought to the notice of airport authorities as the operation and maintenance contract is already in force. The PWD contractor and departmental staff immediately visited the site and rectification work has already been initiated..”

Union Minister and senior BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu took to X to target the AAP government over the incident, saying, “It is unfortunate that Halwara international airport has failed to withstand even the very first spell of rain. The manner in which the airport structure has failed has seriously endangered the lives of both employees and passengers. Strict action must be taken against PWD officials and the contractor, who is allegedly close aide of Mr Sanjeev Arora, for negligent construction and for putting human lives at risk.”

Bittu was among the first passengers of the flight from Delhi to Halwara, and that day he had credited BJP-led Centre for establishment of the airport in Ludhiana. However, on Sunday, he blamed Punjab’s AAP government for the infrastructural damage.

The contractor, missed deadlines

The construction of the Halwara airport’s terminal building was completed by private contractor, Himachal Pradesh-based M/S Synergy Thrislington, after missing several deadlines since 2021. The project was completed under the supervision of Punjab government’s PWD department, and the building was handed over to Airport Authority of India (AAI) after completion.

Even though the airport project was approved by the Punjab cabinet in December 2018 under the previous Congress regime, and the Greater Ludhiana Area Development Authority (GLADA) had taken 161.27 acres in possession in May 2020, the civil work had started only in December 2021 after M/S Synergy Thrislington was allotted the work on December 9, 2021.

However, the project was delayed due to non-availability of funds and it restarted only in September 2022 after the funds were released following the intervention of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann. It was decided that decision that initially the entire cost will be incurred by the Mann-led Punjab government, and later the AAI would reimburse it.

Another contractor M/S Kabir Infra Pvt Ltd was also roped in by Punjab government for Rs 15.37 crore for other works such as internal roads, apron, lighting etc, minister Arora had said in a statement in April 2023.