MoCA stresses on on-time airport completion

New Delhi: The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) continues to lay emphasis on airport development in the country and its completion on time. Informs a ministry official, "These are tough times to raise finances on projects but Mumbai and Delhi deserve these airports. The Airports Authority of India needs another Rs 5,000 crore in addition to Rs 12,000 crore allocated for airport development under the eleventh plan. We need to do a lot for the smaller airports."
The official also hinted that due to increasing costs and reduction in AAI's revenues with Bengaluru and Hyderabad becoming greenfield airports, there is also a need to look at low cost airports. Referring to the Mumbai airport, he added, "The cost of developing the airport has gone up to Rs 9,000 crore from Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 crore. If we do not continue with investments, one would get an average-looking airport. Once we get this infrastructure in place, we shall start pushing for passengers (through the airport) and also look at hub-and-spoke models once these airports stabilise."
Even Air India, which had proposed capital infusion, is currently being consulted with the finance ministry and the process will begin soon. MoCA, Ministry of Defence approve BAPL's airport in Ludhiana
Bengal Aerotropolis Projects (BAPL), that is engaged in developing aerotropolis projects in the country, has received the site clearance from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Defence for setting up a greenfield airport at Machhiwara in Ludhiana, Punjab.
31/03/09 Chetan Kapoor/Express Travel World

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Categories: Airports Mar 2009