Govt allows private parties to have airports

New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Thursday cleared the aviation ministry's proposal to allow private airports, airstrips and helipads for exclusive use by those who build them.
Cutting down red tape surrounding such projects, the aviation ministry and the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) have been authorized to clear proposals, provided they get security nod from the home ministry. This means, the proposals don't have to be put up before the Cabinet for approval. Private airports will, however, have to meet stringent safety norms set by DGCA.
The Cabinet relaxed the rule that a new airport will not be allowed within 150km of an existing one.
"The ministry will have a single-window clearance for such projects. Only those proposals which have a bearing on contractual obligation of an existing one — like those in Bangalore, Hyderabad or Delhi — will need to go to the Cabinet for clearance. This is a path breaking move," aviation minister Praful Patel said. The new proposals will have to meet all safety and technical parameters, he added.
Under the new simplified policy, a steering committee — headed by the aviation secretary — would be set up to coordinate the clearances required from various agencies for setting up an airport. DGCA will be empowered to clear projects beyond 150km of an existing airport and those which neither have any bearing on contractual obligations nor seek exemption from any rule.
Central agencies will continue to oversee functions like air traffic services, security, customs and immigration.
25/04/08 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Apr 2008, Merchant Airports Apr 2008, New Apr 2008