Chandigarh, July 27
The Punjab government has written to its Haryana counterpart asking it to deposit Rs 230.41 crore “immediately” to make good its share in the money spent on acquiring land for the terminal building of the proposed Mohali International Airport.

The Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), which has been appointed as the nodal agency for the development of the international airport by Punjab, has spent Rs 460.82 crore to acquire land for the terminal building. It has acquired 300 acres for the purpose.

The letter, which was sent two days back, has been addressed to Haryana’s principal secretary, Civil Aviation, as well as the principal secretary to the Chief Minister, states that the demand for money was in consonance with the decision taken at a joint meeting with the Airport Authority of India (AAI). The AAI in its meeting on July 4 had decided that both Punjab and Haryana would share the 49 per cent equity allotted to them equally and provide money for the purchase of land and other allied activities. The AAI has 51 per cent equity in the project.

The communication, which has been sent by Punjab civil aviation secretary Visvajit Khanna, also points out that the Punjab government will notify its counterpart on the future course of action on approach roads, water supply, power station and peripheral security. These costs are also to be shared by both state governments.

The delay on the part of the Haryana government to cough up the arrears due from it is causing concern in Punjab. The state has already made it clear that Haryana cannot become an equal player in the project without paying up its dues. The state will also not transfer equity to Haryana till this done.