Rajasthan News: Govt Approves ₹7.5 Crore for Expansion of Lalgarh Airstrip in Sri Ganganagar

In a major boost to regional air connectivity, the Rajasthan government has approved a budget of ₹7.5 crore for the expansion of the Lalgarh Airstrip in Sri Ganganagar. The airstrip will now be extended at its current location, ending the uncertainty that had surrounded the project for years due to space limitations.

The expansion includes increasing the runway length from the current 1,300 metres to 1,600 metres, making it suitable for aircraft such as the ATR 72-600 and ATR 42-600. A technical assessment confirmed that over 300 metres of land is available adjacent to the existing strip, paving the way for the project to proceed without relocation.

Upgrades to Include Boundary Wall and Passenger Facilities

The allocated funds will be used not only to extend the airstrip but also to build a perimeter wall and improve passenger amenities. The plan aims to transform the airstrip into a functional hub that could support short-haul commercial flights, improving accessibility for residents and boosting local development.

Delayed Project Gets New Life Under BJP Government

The expansion plan had been stalled for the past three to four years. Under the previous BJP administration, a short-lived flight service was launched from Lalgarh to Jaipur, but it was discontinued within a month. During the Congress regime, a ₹27 crore plan was proposed for the airstrip, but it never materialized.

With the return of the BJP to power, the project was revived and included in the latest budget announcements. Following this, the state’s Civil Aviation Department released the ₹7.5 crore allocation and sent inspection teams from Jaipur twice. The teams reportedly assessed Lalgarh’s potential as better than Nagaur and Sawai Madhopur airstrips.

The development is expected to play a key role in enhancing intra-state air connectivity in northern Rajasthan and could potentially reopen commercial air services for Sri Ganganagar district in the near future.