Bareilly: The Public Works Department (PWD) on Wednesday kicked off the construction work of the connecting road between Pilibhit Bypass road and Nath Nagri airport here, as the first commercial flight is likely to take off on February 28.According to officials, the PWD had proposed a connecting road much earlier, but the construction work was hit by a dispute over land with the National Highways Authority of India.They said the seven-metre wide and around 17-metre long two-lane road would ensure better connectivity to the airport.Speaking to TOI, PWD junior engineer Alok Singh Chauhan said, “A proposal for the construction of a connecting road to the Civil Enclave was prepared and sent to the state government for approval last year, but it was rejected owing to a dispute over land with NHAI. However, as the inauguration of the airport is slated for this month, it has become necessary to lay the connecting road for the convenience of commuters. The existing stretch is narrow and uneven. The road is expected to come up within a week at an estimated cost of around Rs 15 lakh.”Minister of state (independent charge) for the ministry of labour and employment Santosh Gangwar had earlier this month confirmed that the first commercial flight from the Bareilly airport, which is being constructed at a cost of Rs 75 crore, would take off by February 28.An official of the Airport Authority of India had told TOI that arrangements, including installation of fire-fighting system, security cabins and passenger lounge, had already been completed, while final touches were being given to the porta cabin and apron.Being set up under UDAN — a regional airport development and connectivity scheme of the Central government — the flights will operate from Nath Nagri Civil Enclave using the airstrip of Trishul air base of the Indian Airforce (IAF).There will be one flight each to Delhi and Lucknow daily, the online booking for which is likely to start on February 25.

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