Protest against curtailing overseas flights from Amritsar
Members of Amritsar Vikas Manch, along with other social activists, on Friday staged a protest at Bhandari Bridge against the Union civil aviation ministry for stopping direct international flights to and from Guru Ram Das International Airport.
Members of Amritsar Vikas Manch, along with other social activists, on Friday staged a protest at Bhandari Bridge against the Union civil aviation ministry for stopping direct international flights to and from Guru Ram Das International Airport.
The protesters said authorities of the ministry had not only stopped the flights, but also refused to give nod to more international flights which are need of the hour.
“Since the control of Indra Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, was given to a private company, direct flights to and from UK, Canada and USA from city were stopped to benefit the company. It has caused a huge lose to Amritsar airport as well as local traders and industrialists,” Daljit Singh Kohli, a member of the organisation.
Another activist Sushil Gupta said, “Now, Chandigarh airport has started and lobbying has begun shift some more flights from Amritsar to Chandigarh. For instance, Amritsar-Singapore flight was to start from May 23 this year, but now it is being talked that it will be shifted to Chandigarh.”
“Requests for more international flights from Amritsar had been sent to the ministry, but there was no reponse,” said Parshotam Kumar, one of the protester.
Activists of Vigyan Samati, Mission Agaz, Voice of Amritsar, Lok Kalyan Samati, Anti-Terrorist Association, Global Institute of Disabled Children and Pollution Control Committee also participated in the demonstration.
The demonstrators warned of taking legal measures if their voice went unheard. They also urged local MLAs and MPs to take up the issues with higher authorities.