Thursday, March 10, 2011

Status of Greenfield Airports with ‘In-Principle’ Approval

Keeping in view the enormous growth in air passengers, which has put pressure on air infrastructure and to encourage infusion of greater investment in airport sector, Government had pronounced a policy for greenfield airports in April, 2008. This policy states that it would be the endeavour of the Central Government to ensure that all approvals and clearances are given in a timely manner. State Government may facilitate by giving incentives to an Airport Company such as land, concessional or otherwise; real estate development rights in and around the airports; airport connectivity; rail, road; fiscal incentives by way of exemptions from State taxes; and any other assistance that the State Government deem fit. A Steering Committee under the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation has been constituted to coordinate and monitor the various clearances required for setting up of a Greenfield airport. The promoter seeking to develop the airport has to submit the proposal to the Government for consideration by the Steering Committee. Application for setting up of Greenfield airport are received from time to time, which are considered by the Steering Committee/competent authority for grant of 'in principle' approval, after they have completed all necessary formalities of obtaining pre-feasibility study report, site clearance, clearances from regulatory agencies, etc.

The timeline for construction of airport projects depends upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure, etc. The Status of the project of the Greenfield airports which have been granted 'in-principle' approval is as under:

(i) Mopa in Goa: Government of India has granted ‘in-principle’ approval of setting up of a Greenfield airport at Mopa in Goa in March, 2000 to the State Government of Goa. While granting the approval, GoI approved that the existing Dabolim Airport should be closed for civilian operations after commissioning of the new airport. However, considering the requirement of the existing airport, GoI has reviewed its decision and allowed continuation of the existing airport at Dabolim for civil operation even after commissioning of the new airport at Mopa. About 1000 acres of land has been acquired.

(ii) Navi Mumbai in Maharashtra: “In-principle” approval for setting up of new Greenfield airport at Navi Mumbai through Public Private Partnership has been granted to the Government of Maharashtra in July 2007. Government of Maharashtra has nominated City & Industries Development Corporation of Maharashtra Limited (CIDCO) as nodal agency for development of the project. Technical and Legal Consultant has been appointed by CIDCO. Ministry of Environment & Forest has recently given environmental clearance to the project. 2054 hectare land has been identified for the airport project, out of which 1341 hectare is in the possession of CIDCO.

(iii) Kannur in Kerala: The “in-principle” approval for setting up of new Greenfield airport at Kannur was granted to the Government of Kerala in February, 2008 . Government of Kerala has appointed M/s KINFRA as nodal agency for the construction of the Kannur Airport. On Build Own and Operate (BOO) model. A Company namely Kannur International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (KIAL) has been formed. The quantum of land already acquired is 1277.19 acres.

(iv) Pakyong in Sikkim: The Government has approved the proposal of Airports Authority of India (AAI) for construction of a Greenfield airport at Pakyong in Sikkim at the cost of Rs.309.46 crores by AAI. Master Plan of the airport project has already been finalised and construction work already started.

(v) Sindhudurg in Maharashtra: “In-principle” approval to the Government of Maharashtra for setting up of a Greenfield airport at Sindhudurg was granted in September, 2008. The State Government of Maharashtra has appointed Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as nodal agency for construction of the airport. 271 hectares of land has been acquired by MIDC. The works pertaining to diversion of telephone, electricity and water supply lines has been completed.

(vi) Gulbarga, Bijapur, Hassan and Shimoga in Karnataka: ‘In-principle’ approval to the Government of Karanataka for setting up of greenfield airports at Gulbarga, Bijapur, Hassan and Shimoga was granted in June, 2008. The present status of works on these airport projects is as under:

(a) Bijapur Airport: The SOP has been finalised. Project Development Agreement between the State Government and M/s MARG Ltd. was entered on 18.01.2010. Out of 728.01 acres of land, required for the project 385.22 acres land has been acquired and handed over to the developer.

(b) Gulbarga Airport: Project Development Agreement (PDA) between State Government and Gulbarga Airport Developers Limited (GADL) was entered on 02.04.2008 and 670 acres of land has been acquired and handed over to GADL during May, 2010. Supplementary PDA and Land Lease Agreement have been signed on 22.05.2010 with GADL. Necessary clearances from Ministry of Environment & Forests have been obtained. The construction work has been started according to Master Plan.

(c) Hassan Airport: Project Development Agreement (PDA) between the State Government and Jupiter Aviation Logistics has been signed on 06.09.2007. Out of 960 acres of land, 536.24 acres of land has been acquired. The developer has obtained the Environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests and consent from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. Master Plan for the project has also been prepared.

(d) Simoga Airport: PDA between State Government and Shimoga Airport Development Limited (SADL) was entered on 02.04.2008. Land to the extent of 662.38 acres has been acquired. Necessary clearances from Ministry of Environment & Forests have been obtained. The work on the project has been started in accordance with the Master Plan.

(vii) Dabra, Gwalior/ Datia in Madhya Pradesh: In December 2008, Government has granted ‘in-principle’ approval for setting up of an exclusive cargo airport at Badon Kalan/Bhaisnari, District- Datia/Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh to M/s Gwalior Agriculture Company Ltd.

(viii) Andal –Faridpur Blocks of Barddhaman District in West Bengal: Government has granted ‘in-principle’ approval for setting up of a domestic greenfield airport at Andal-Faridpur Blocks of Barddhaman district in West Bengal to M/s Bengal Aerotropolis Project Ltd. The master plan of the project has already been finalized and construction work started.

(ix) Paladi-Ramsinghpur tehsil near Jaipur in Rajasthan: Government of India has granted ‘in-principle’ approval for setting up of a domestic greenfield airport at Paladi-Ramsinghpur Tehsil near Jaipur in Rajasthan to M/s Rajasthan Aviation Infrastructure (India) Ltd. The Airport Promoter has partnered with Fraport AG for establishment of the airport as per world class standard. The promoter has informed that they have completed the construction of work for commencement of operation of 2B category aircrats.

(x) Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh: Government of India has granted ‘in-principle’ approval to the Government of Uttar Pradesh for setting up of a Greenfield International airport at Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh in September, 2010 . The necessary clearances from Department of Customs, IMD and Ministry of Environment & Forest have been obtained.

(xi) Karaikal Airport in Pudduchery: Government has recently in February, 2011 granted ‘in-principle’ approval for setting up of a Greenfield airport at the site covering areas of Ponbethy, Puthakudy and Varichikudy Revenue Villages of Karaikal region in Puducherry under public use category.

The above information was given by the Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Vayalar Ravi in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.
09/03/11 PRESS RELEASE/Press Information Bureau
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