Centre, States discuss private investments in airport projects

New Delhi: The Government is considering attracting private investment to develop merchant airports and a large number of airstrips, mostly of World War II vintage, scattered in different parts of the country.
"There are many unused airstrips in different states. The commercial viability of some of these are being looked at by the respective state governments. The idea (to attract private investment) is at a formative stage," Civil Aviation Secretary, Ashok Chawla, said after inaugurating a seminar on airports here.
The issue was discussed at a recent meeting attended by State Government officials.
He said "We are encouraging State governments to identify the locations. Some States like Karnataka and Maharashtra are moving very fast in this direction."
Addressing the seminar, he said the Ministry was considering creating 'merchant airports', which would be developed solely by private operators, who would own the land as well. "We are in the process of consulting all stakeholders on the matter," Chawla said.
Maintaining that Airports Authority of India would modernise Kolkata and Chennai airports, he said 35 non-metro airports were also being developed through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and it would be completed by March 2010.
26/07/07 PTI/The Hindu

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Categories: Airports Jul 2007, New Jul 2007