(JALANDHAR) UK MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi on August 22, 2025 pressed Punjab’s leadership to back a broad Aviation Expansion and a stronger justice system for overseas Punjabis, using the 350th Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji martyrdom anniversary as a moment to rally government attention. Meeting Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister Sanjeev Arora in Jalandhar, Dhesi urged more direct long‑haul flights to Amritsar and Chandigarh from London, Birmingham, other European hubs, North America, and Asia, along with a one‑window system to help Non‑Resident Indians (NRIs) resolve property disputes, stop extortion, and invest in the state with confidence. The UK Labour MP, who now chairs the Defence Committee in Parliament, framed both pushes as practical steps to serve millions in the Punjabi diaspora while boosting Punjab’s economy and global profile.
Dhesi said Punjab aviation expansion could shorten trips for elderly travelers and families who now face long layovers or complex routings through Delhi or the Gulf. He asked both the Indian and Punjab governments to provide political support, regulatory help, and commercial incentives so airlines can justify nonstop routes to the state. He also called for the reopening of Amritsar’s international cargo operations, frozen amid India‑Pakistan tensions, arguing that air freight links would revive trade and support small exporters.
Punjab’s NRI Affairs team has been discussing a central helpdesk to triage cases, assign them to trained staff, and track progress online—what Dhesi calls a reliable “one‑window system” that can stop years‑long delays. Property disputes, illegal transfers, and pressure from local gangs remain common complaints from families abroad. A faster, well‑guarded channel, he argued, would restore trust and unlock investment in everything from retail to tech parks.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, direct routes to Amritsar often test well with airlines when load factors, cargo potential, and religious travel peaks line up, but carriers still want government support on slots, ground handling, and marketing. Dhesi’s timing is designed to match those commercial needs with public momentum. He has also sought coordination with UK authorities and carriers as Westminster debates air links that meet the needs of diaspora communities.
Policy push tied to historic commemoration
Punjab will host large‑scale commemorations of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji from November 19–25, 2025, led by the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department under Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond and overseen by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. National‑level events are planned in:
- Nanded Sahib on September 6–7
- Nagpur on November 15–16
- Navi Mumbai on December 21–22
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to take part. The remembrance stresses religious freedom, unity, and justice. Dhesi has linked those themes with his appeals for safer travel, cleaner governance, and clear access to the law for NRIs.
The MP’s stance comes as other lawmakers in the UK raise connectivity for different regions, including proposals tied to Mirpur. Dhesi keeps the focus on Punjab, citing Amritsar’s draw for pilgrims and tourists, as well as the state’s export potential. The UK’s Minister for Aviation, Mike Kane, has also praised aviation’s role in economic renewal, which Dhesi reads as a positive sign for fresh route talks.
Punjab officials say they welcome close work with Delhi on permissions and with international carriers on schedules and marketing. While route decisions remain commercial, a package that combines passenger demand, clear marketing, and support on the ground can tip the scales. The state is also reviewing how to better brief district police and revenue officers on NRI cases, so the one‑window channel does not stall at the local level.
Routes, cargo, and safety: requests on the table
At the Jalandhar meeting, Dhesi detailed three asks:
- More nonstop passenger flights connecting Amritsar and Chandigarh to London, Birmingham, other European cities, North America, and Asia as part of an Aviation Expansion plan.
- A robust one‑window system under the NRI Affairs Department to address land disputes, property seizures, and extortion quickly and fairly, with digital case tracking.
- Reopening the Amritsar International Cargo Port and resuming the Kartarpur Sahib Corridor, subject to improved conditions, along with appeals related to political prisoners, including British national Jagtar Singh Johal.
Each item, he said, fits a broader effort to rebuild confidence among Punjabis abroad. For families that visit grandparents in Doaba or Malwa, a nonstop flight can mean less strain and fewer missed connections. For small exporters—textiles, farm produce, and light manufacturing—cargo access can mean stable orders and jobs. For investors wary of getting stuck in land fights, a responsive NRI cell can make the difference between staying away and building a business in Punjab.
Industry watchers note airlines weigh year‑round demand, aircraft availability, and bilateral air service rights. Governments can still shape outcomes through:
- Ground fee policies
- Terminal slot support
- Joint marketing campaigns
The Ministry of Civil Aviation in New Delhi publishes policy updates and slot coordination rules that airlines and airports use to plan routes; official guidance is available at https://www.civilaviation.gov.in. Punjab officials say they are ready to partner with Delhi on technical steps, from airport readiness to cargo handling standards.
Practical impact for travelers and NRIs
Nonstop flights to Amritsar and Chandigarh would offer clear, tangible benefits:
- Shorter travel times — reducing long transfers and layovers.
- Easier travel for seniors and families — less strain for passengers needing wheelchairs or frequent assistance.
- Better options for students and workers — enabling short, planned trips between the UK and Punjab.
- Faster cargo routes — benefiting perishable goods, medical supplies, and SMEs.
On the legal side, NRIs describe years of back‑and‑forth with local clerks, police stations, and courts. Common problems include unanswered letters, lost files, and delayed hearings. A single, accountable desk with trained officers and a digital dashboard could shorten that ordeal.
If the one‑window system works as planned, overseas Punjabis would:
- File a case once and receive a case number
- Get regular updates until closure
- See reduced processing times and greater transparency
Punjab’s NRI Affairs Department has been consulting district leaders and community groups on staffing, measurement, and public reporting to ensure accountability.
Important: The upcoming anniversary events add urgency. The state wants to welcome global visitors and show progress on long‑pending problems that have kept many families away. A well‑run NRI desk, backed by policing that treats complaints seriously, could lower risks and show the state stands with honest owners and investors.
Operational and timeline notes
Officials stress that actual route announcements depend on airline decisions. Carriers will consider:
- Aircraft types and availability
- Fuel and operating costs
- Seasonal demand peaks
Punjab can help by improving terminal services, baggage handling, last‑mile transport, and joint promotions highlighting religious and cultural travel tied to the Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji martyrdom anniversary and beyond.
Sanjeev Arora’s office has not set a formal deadline, but planning aims to align announcements with the November 2025 commemorations if airline timelines allow. The state is also reviewing metrics to track the one‑window system, including:
- Number of new cases filed
- Median time to resolution
- Number of property restorations completed
Public reporting is intended to keep the system honest and reassure families abroad that complaints will not fall into a black hole.
Tarunpreet Singh Sond’s department is finalizing event calendars for the November week in Punjab and the national gatherings in Nanded Sahib, Nagpur, and Navi Mumbai. Logistics planning includes crowd control, lodging, and medical support. Organizers expect a large international turnout, with diaspora groups planning charter trips. Any new or announced routes could ease congestion and support those plans.
Practical advice for travelers and NRIs now
- Plan around peak dates and build extra connection time.
- Pack medications and essentials in carry‑on bags to mitigate delays.
- Families with property issues should gather:
- Ownership papers
- Wills
- Any prior FIRs or court orders
before filing with the NRI cell to speed outcomes.
Dhesi’s team, Punjab’s NRI Affairs Department, and Delhi’s civil aviation authorities will continue talks through the autumn. If approvals and airline interest line up, new direct services could launch late 2025 or early 2026. If not, route planning will move into the next schedule.
For NRIs, the core message: the state has put travel and justice on the same page — cut the distance to home and make home affairs easier to settle.
This Article in a Nutshell
MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi urged Punjab on August 22, 2025, to secure nonstop international flights, reopen Amritsar cargo, and create a digital one‑window NRI desk before major November commemorations to boost travel, trade and diaspora confidence.
