New wheels landing soon at Hyderabad’s old airport

Hyderabad: New wheels will screech soon on the runways of Hyderabad’s old airport at Begumpet. But this time it won’t be cruising aircraft but Formula 1 cars. An international firm wants to organise Formula 1 car racing events on what was once the airport.
Begumpet airport closed down on March 23 after the new airport opened at Shamshabad. Sources said the ministry has received numerous proposals — one of them from a firm wishing to develop car-racing tracks — to revive the old airport.
Refusing to divulge the firm’s name, the official said: “The private firm is willing to develop tracks and organise international car racing events. The proposal is at the initial stage. No final decision has been taken yet.”
Ministry officials said the proposal was discussed at a recent meeting. What makes it a safe deal is the firm’s assurance of minimal changes to Begumpet’s main runway and taxiing tracks.
In order to make it lucrative, the firm is willing to share profits too. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is effusive after getting the proposal because the closure of the airport meant a massive financial loss.
05/11/08 Yogesh Kumar/Daily News & Analysis

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Categories: Airports Nov 2008, New Nov 2008