Chandigarh’s IAF Heritage Centre Inaugurated, Open for Public Now

The much-awaited inauguration of Indian Air Force (IAF) Heritage Centre in Sector 18, Chandigarh, took place on May 8. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh declared it open in the presence of the Chief of Air Staff and  Governor Punjab and Administrator Chandigarh and Advisor to UT Administrator Chandigarh.

The IAF Heritage Centre is an embodiment of the rich history and legacy of the Indian Air Force. The Centre houses a collection of artefacts, murals, and 3-D dioramas that showcase the evolution of the Indian Air Force from its inception to the present day. The IAF Heritage Centre is open to the public now.

One of the highlights of the IAF Heritage Centre is the array of simulators that allow visitors to experience the thrill of flying an aircraft. The simulators have been designed to replicate the experience of flying some of the most iconic aircraft in the IAF’s history, giving visitors a chance to get a taste of what it feels like to be a pilot. But this experience will come at a price.

The Immersive Experience ticket is priced at Rs 295 and the entry ticket is priced at Rs 50. Children below the age of 18 years are exempted from Entry Tickets only. The tickets can be booked online on Chandigarh Tourism App or can be purchased from the IAF Heritage Centre, Sector 18. A cafe at the IAF Heritage Centre is also operational and is accessible to the visitors to the Centre as well as general public.

Visitors will also be able to explore enclosures dedicated to the various war campaigns in which the IAF has participated. A beautiful one-foot wall that has pictures of 58 vintage and retired aircraft will serve as a visual treat to visitors.

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Speaking about the IAF Heritage Centre, Raksha Mantri said, “The IAF Heritage Centre is a testament to the courage and dedication of the men and women who have served in the Indian Air Force”.

Chief of Air Staff recognized the support given by UT Administration Chandigarh. He handed over token of appreciation through the coins of IAF to Dr Dharmpal, Advisor, VP Kavle, Secy Culture; Sourabh Arora, Director Cultural and CB Ojha, Chief Engineer.

The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was supposed to inaugurate it on January 31 but got delayed. The UT Administration had earlier proposed to set up a vintage car museum at this site. On August 27, 2021 an agreement was signed between the IAF and the UT Administration  which was followed by a MoU inked in June 2022.

(The writer, Ramesh K Dhiman, is a former staffer of The Tribune and freelancer. He has written extensively for leading newspapers and magazines on art, culture, mythology, besides travelogues.)