Bhopal: Come to think of it, the area surrounding Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal, a city known for its lush green cover, wears a denuded look. The problem stems from the inability of Airports Authority of India (AAI) to find a private company to develop greenery around the airport that was inaugurated in 2011.
Authorities said it can only be developed with private public partnership (PPP) and as flights are few, no company has evinced interest to develop the airport.
Neighbouring Chhattisgarh prides itself with a green drive-in at its Vivekanand airport, popularly known as Mana airport of Raipur. It recently bagged the best airport award in 'rest of India' category for its green surroundings. Admitting lack of greenery, Vivek Upadhyay, Raja Bhoj airport director said, "Raipur got a facelift after involvement of a private party. In Bhopal, private parties are not interested owing to less number of flights. The greenery could only be developed by a PPP model," Upadhyay said. Around Rs 4 crore is required for making entire 75,000 square metre area green, he said.
21/02/14 Times of India
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
Authorities said it can only be developed with private public partnership (PPP) and as flights are few, no company has evinced interest to develop the airport.
Neighbouring Chhattisgarh prides itself with a green drive-in at its Vivekanand airport, popularly known as Mana airport of Raipur. It recently bagged the best airport award in 'rest of India' category for its green surroundings. Admitting lack of greenery, Vivek Upadhyay, Raja Bhoj airport director said, "Raipur got a facelift after involvement of a private party. In Bhopal, private parties are not interested owing to less number of flights. The greenery could only be developed by a PPP model," Upadhyay said. Around Rs 4 crore is required for making entire 75,000 square metre area green, he said.
21/02/14 Times of India
