Construction of Greenfield Airports

During the last three years, Government of India (GoI) has received the proposals from the respective State Governments for setting up of Greenfield airports at Sindhudurg (2008), Shirdi (2009), Solapur (2009) & Bolera (district- Amarawati) (2010) in Maharashtra; Bijapur (2008), Gulbarga (2008), Hassan (2008), Simoga (2008) & Bellary (2010) in Karnataka; Kushinagar (2009) in Uttar Pradesh; and Dholera (2009) in Gujarat.

The Status of the projects of the State/UTs for setting up of the Greenfield airports which have been granted 'in-principle' approval during the last three years is as under:

Sindhudurg in Maharashtra: Government of India has accorded “in-principle” approval to the Government of Maharashtra for setting up of a greenfield airport at Sindhudurg in Maharashtra in September, 2008. The State Government of Maharashtra has appointed Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) as nodal agency for construction of the airport. 271 hectares of land has been acquired by MIDC. The works pertaining to diversion of telephone, electricity and water supply lines has been completed.

Gulbarga, Bijapur, Hassan and Shimoga in Karnataka: The Steering Committee in its first meeting held on 13.06.2008 considered the proposals of the State Government of Karnataka to set up airports at Gulbarga, Bijapur, Hassan and Shimoga. The Steering Committee has granted ‘in-principle’ approval to above four projects subject to the conditions that SOP would be formalized between DGCA, AAI and Ministry of Defence regarding air space management for the airports at Gulbarga and Bijapur in view of the existing defence operations at Pune and Bidar respectively. The present status of these airport projects is as under:

Bijapur Airport:The SOP has been finalised. Project Development Agreement between the State Government and M/s MARG Ltd. was entered on 18 January, 2010. Out of 728.01 acres of land, required for the project 385.22 acres land has been acquired and handed over to the developer.

Gulbarga Airport: Project Development Agreement (PDA) between State Government and Gulbarga Airport Developers Limited (GADL) was entered on 02.04.2008 and 670 acres of land has been acquired and handed over to GADL during May, 2010. Supplementary PDA and Land Lease Agreement have been signed on 22 May, 2010 with GADL. Necessary clearances from Ministry of Environment & Forests have been obtained. The construction work has been started according to Master Plan.

Hassan Airport: Project Development Agreement (PDA) between the State Government and Jupiter Aviation Logistics has been signed on 06 September, 2007. Out of 960 acres of land, 536.24 acres of land has been acquired. The developer has obtained the Environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests and consent from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board. Master Plan for the project has also been prepared.

Simoga Airport: PDA between State Government and Shimoga Airport Development Limited (SADL) was entered on 02 April, 2008. Land to the extent of 662.38 acres has been acquired. Necessary clearances from Ministry of Environment & Forests have been obtained. The work on the project has been started in accordance with the Master Plan.

Kushinagar International Airport in Uttar Pradesh: Government of India has granted ‘in-principle’ approval to the Government of Uttar Pradesh for setting up of a Greenfield International airport at Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh on 21 September, 2010. The necessary clearances from Department of Customs, IMD and Ministry of Environment & Forest have been obtained.

The timeline for construction of airport projects depends upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure, etc.

The above information was given by the Minister for Civil Aviation Shri Vayalar Ravi in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha on 23 February, 2011.