Aerotropolis: Aerial survey today

Kolkata: Changi Airport International (CAI) chief executive Wong Woon Liong will do an aerial survey of Andal on Saturday to check the proposed airport city project site. The Singapore-based firm has a stake in the project. It is also the technical services consultant for the venture.
Apart from being CAI's maiden venture in India, this is Liong's first major exposure to the company's international projects. Aware of the land acquisition row in Singur and the failed Tata Motors project, Liong is keen to assess the airport project before work begins in six months. Acquisition notice has been issued by the government and the process is expected to be completed by September.
At a meeting with chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and industries secretary Sabyasachi Sen on Friday, Liong hinted at the need to adhere to a time schedule. CAI will soon post an official in Kolkata to liaise with the government and the promoters Bengal Aerotropolis Project Ltd (BAPL).
The airport city project has two hurdles to clear. While Coal India Ltd (CIL) has claimed that there are coal reserves in the area identified for the project, a section of land owners is unwilling to hand over the land at the present terms. Local land and land reforms officer Anwarul Haq, however, said only 5.11% landlosers have raised objections to the project.
After the meeting at Writers' on Friday, the industries secretary said, "We are hopeful that the issue of coal will be sorted out soon. Discussions with CIL are under way and its interests will not be hampered. The DM is also looking into demands of farmers and tailor a compensation and rehabilitation package." BAPL needs 2,360 acre to set up the airport city.
During the interaction at the state secretariat, BAPL project director Partho Ghosh requested for relocation of a high-tension power line that passes through the area and improvement of connectivity between Andal and neighbouring towns Asansol and Durgapur. The CM had asked Sen to forward the requests to the Asansol Durgapur Development Authority.
Sources said Liong also invited Bhattacharjee to Singapore for a guided tour of Terminal No. 3 and other facilities at the airport.
14/02/09 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Feb 2009