Andal airport pact signed

Calcutta: Bengal today signed a pact to build an airport in Burdwan’s Andal and the developer said Singapore’s Changi was keen to operate the new hub.
Under the joint venture development agreement signed by Bengal Aerotropolis Projects with the government, the 2,300 acres needed for the airport will be bought by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation directly from the owners and leased to the developer.
Commerce and industry minister Nirupam Sen, who signed on behalf of the government, said the developer would have to use the land for the purpose specified.
Partho Ghosh, director of Bengal Aerotropolis, said the airport would come up within 30 months of the land allotment. “We have received a good response from various companies. Changi has written to us expressing interest in operating the airport. Indian (Indian Airlines earlier) has said it would put the airport on its route.”
The company has identified 5,000 acres, more than twice the requirement, to ensure that the project goes ahead even if some landowners refuse to sell, Ghosh said.
Commerce and industries secretary Sabyasachi Sen said the airport would cater to a large area, setting at rest doubts about its viability in a place like Andal.
18/01/08 The Telegraph

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Categories: Airports Jan 2008, New Jan 2008