India, Oct. 26 -- From October 26 to November 18, Chandigarh's airport will take an enforced nap. The runway is being resurfaced with polymer-modified emulsion; a technical fix meant to future-proof it against stress and seasonal extremes. For 24 days, the airport's tarmac will be eerily quiet, with civil flights operating only for a few hours and passengers facing temporary disruption.

The partial shutdown is necessary, yes, but it also casts a harsh spotlight on recurring issues-limited connectivity, modest passenger facilities, and operational challenges that no coat of asphalt alone can fix. The pause also provides an opportunity to rethink the airport's long-term strategy, rather than merely patching immediate problems, and to consi...