Private interest soars for new Kerala airport

New Delhi: The grant of government approval for constructing an airport in north Kerala is attracting interest from infrastructure companies keen on participating in a project that will serve significant chunks of workers in West Asia hailing from the southern state and the nearly half a million foreign tourists visiting it every year.
Leading conglomerates, including the Leela Group, Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd and GVK Infrastructure Ltd, are among those keen to build the international airport in Kerala’s Kannur district, which was given a final approval by the Union government last week after nearly a decade since the project was proposed.
The Kerala government says it expects to invite proposals within six months and targets completion in two years from then.
The state-run Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation will own 26% stake in the joint venture, with the rest held by a private consortium.
About four years ago, the Kerala government had signed an agreement with the Leela Group, which runs resorts and hotels, to construct the airport, but the process could not be carried forward without Union government approvals.
22/01/08 Tarun Shukla/Livemint

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Categories: Airports Jan 2008, New Jan 2008