Panaji: While the Goa government has only recently taken possession of land for its greenfield international airport at Mopa, about 100 km away, the Maharashtra government has already begun work on the Chipi domestic airport.
Speaking to STOI, Rajesh Lonkar, project manager for IRB Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, said the Chipi airport is slated to be ready in 18 months from the date of initiation-February 18, 2013. The firm is building the airport on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis for the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
While the Maharashtra government intends to upgrade the Chipi airport into an international one, Lonkar said the conversion process may take a year or more. "There is adequate area if they want to expand in the future," said Lonkar, pointing out that a 261-acre area has been earmarked for the project. "The airport is being built keeping in mind the requirement for the next 35 years," he stressed.
14/04/13 Bindiya Chari/Times of India
