Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Punjab on February 1, 2026, to rename the Adampur Airport as 'Sri Guru Ravidas Ji Airport, Adampur'. The renaming coincides with the 649th birth anniversary of Sant Guru Ravidas Ji, a revered saint and social reformer. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) stated that this gesture honors Sant Guru Ravidas Ji's legacy and his teachings of equality, compassion, and human dignity, which continue to inspire India's social ethos. The PMO also released a statement that PM Modi is scheduled to arrive at Adampur Airport around 3:45 pm to unveil the new name.
In addition to the renaming ceremony, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the new terminal building at Halwara Airport in Ludhiana. The Halwara terminal is expected to serve Ludhiana and its surrounding industrial and agricultural regions, strengthening connectivity for one of the state's key economic hubs. The new terminal at Halwara Airport will serve as a vital gateway for Ludhiana and its surrounding industrial and agricultural districts. This development enhances regional connectivity by allowing larger aircraft, such as the A320, to operate. The earlier airport at Ludhiana had a relatively small runway, suitable for small-size aircrafts.
The Halwara terminal incorporates green technologies, including LED lighting, insulated roofing, rainwater harvesting, and water treatment systems that recycle water for landscaping. Its architectural design reflects Punjab's rich cultural heritage, offering passengers a uniquely regional travel experience. Halwara also holds strategic importance as the location of an Indian Air Force base, underscoring the airport's dual civilian and defense significance.
The Prime Minister will also visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar to participate in public celebrations marking the 649th birth anniversary of the saint-poet. Dera Sachkhand Ballan holds significant social and electoral influence in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala districts. Ravidasias and Ad Dharmis together form a substantial segment of Punjab's Dalit population, making the Dera an important center of engagement for political parties during election cycles.
Political observers view Modi's visit as part of a broader strategy to strengthen the BJP's footprint among Dalits, particularly Ravidassias and Ad-Dharmis, in a state where the party has historically struggled to gain independent traction. Dalits make up nearly one-third of Punjab's population—the highest proportion in the country—but their voting patterns have historically remained fragmented. The visit is being viewed not just as a religious engagement but as a strategic political signal, as parties position themselves early in a tightly contested electoral landscape ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.