Chandigarh, Oct 29 (IANS): Soon after assuming charge as the Haryana Chief Minister for a second consecutive term, Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday intensified his efforts to get international status for the airport at Hisar.

Khattar met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi and held detailed discussions on the matter, according to a statement by the state government.

Khattar apprised the Defence Minister that the Hisar airport would be suitable for reducing air traffic congestion at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.

He said letters had been written to both the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister in which the state has requested for locating the Bengaluru-headquartered Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd's (HAL) maintenance, repair and overhaul hub to serve defence aircraft and helicopters at the recently inaugurated airport in Hisar.

The state government has sufficient land to the tune of about 3,000 acres available near the Hisar airport, he said.

Hisar is about 160 km from Delhi and connected to it through National Highway 10.

The Chief Minister also discussed the setting up of industries related to defence equipment in Haryana.

He further urged the Defence Minister to ensure the early completion of a project in Rohtak related to the manufacturing of bulletproof jackets.