Despite aviation sector slowdown, Chakan airport

Pune: Contrary to the general apprehension that the current slowdown in the aviation industry may adversely affect the pace of development of Pune’s international airport, Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC) has actually moved a few steps ahead with the project.
MADC, which has been mandated to develop the airport after the charge was transferred to them from MIDC on May 15, has prepared a preliminary feasibility report on the new airport and has submitted it to the government. In the report, 3,332 hectares of land in the Chakan area has been identified for acquisition, for which the MADC has sought seed money of Rs 200 crore.
“Some part of the land will come from seven villages in Chakan but the villagers will not be displaced. The rest of the acquisition will be from other places nearby,” said MADC general manager Ramesh Yaul. “We will start the process as soon as we get the go-ahead and the money from the government,” he added. “It should take one and a half years for land acquisition and, after that, another three years for development of the airport. If all goes well, we are looking at four-and-a-half years from the time this report is approved,” Yaul forecast.
He asserted that airport development is an infrastructure issue — not affected by economic slowdowns.
21/07/08 Expressindia.com

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Categories: Airports Jul 2008, New Jul 2008