Mihan is here to stay: Muttemwar

Nagpur: Major political parties and its leaders do not seem unduly worried about two reports prepared by separate entities pitching in for New Delhi as the most suitable site for an international air cargo hub. They believe that this development would in no way clash with the interests of Multi-Modal International Hub Airport at Nagpur (Mihan) for which heavy infrastructure building work is in progress here.
Even the industry bodies and the Maharashtra Airport Development Company (MADC), which is building Mihan jointly with the Airport Authority of India AAI), are confident that the Nagpur hub is now here to stay as it has already been given all necessary clearances by the government. About such infrastructure projects, more the merrier is the refrain of all the players. A special committee of the Planning Commission has prepared a report suggesting that New Delhi would be best suited for an international air hub. Consultants Ernst and Young have also given a similar report to the AAI.
“There is no question of Mihan not materialising. We have secured all necessary approvals and investors have committed to set up business at Mihan. What is unique about Mihan is that it is the only cargo and passenger hub airport with a special economic zone (SEZ) attached, said city MP Vilas Muttemwar. “The previous UPA government gave its nod to Mihan only after it was convinced that Nagpur in the heart of the country has several advantages because of its central location. It would be wrong to say that Mihan will be doomed if another such hub comes up in Delhi.”
“If world class infrastructure facilities come up at Mihan, the business will be drawn to it. Like Mumbai which is saturated , Delhi also has logistics bottlenecks. A place like Nagpur from where cargo could be distributed all over the country faster because of its network of road, rail and air connections would be preferred by the business houses. Only those unaware of its benefits would say it is not feasible,” said Muttemwar.
Moreover, he opined that with Indian economy destined to grow in coming days there will be scope for setting up of cargo hubs at several locations across the country. Mihan would be naturally used by those whose cargo is to be moved in central India.
03/06/09 Ramu Bhagwat/Times of India

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Categories: Airports Jun 2009, Cargo Jun 2009, New Jun 2009