By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JULY 28, 2015: THERE are a total number of 476 airports in the country. This includes operational and non-operational airports, airstrips etc. owned by the Airports Authority of India, Defence, State Governments, private parties etc.

Government of India (GoI) has granted 'in-principle' approval for setting up of the following 14 Greenfield airports in the country.

Mopa in Goa (Rs.3000 cr), Navi Mumbai (Rs.15149 cr), Sindhudurg (Rs.350 cr) and Shirdi (Rs.320.54 cr for Phase I) in Maharashtra, Bijapur (Rs. 150 cr), Gulbarga (Rs.13.78 cr in initial phase), Hassan (apprx. 793.95 cr in three phases) and Shimoga (Rs.38.91 cr in initial phase) in Karnataka, Kannur (Rs.1892 cr) in Kerala, Dabra (Rs.200 cr) in Gwalior, Pakyong (Rs. 605.59 cr) in Sikkim, Kushinagar (Rs 600.39 cr) in Uttar Pradesh, cost estimated by Airports Authority of India, as the development of the airport through Public Private Partnership (PPP) could not be realized by the Government of Uttar Pradesh (GoUP), Karaikal (Rs. 280 cr) in Pudducherry and Durgapur (Rs. 700 cr) in West Bengal. Out of these, one project namely Durgapur Airport has commenced commercial operations on 18th May, 2015.

Since 2012, GoI has received initial proposals for setting up of Greenfield airports at several places, namely, Karwar in Karnataka, Androth (Karavati dist.) in Union Territory of Lakshadweep, Taj International Airport, Hirangaon in Uttar Pradesh, Dagadarthi Mendal Nellore Dist., Bhogapuram in Vizianagaram District near Visakhapatnam, Tadepalligudem in West Godavari District, Oravakallu in Kurnool District and Kuppam in Chittoor District in Andhra Pradesh. As per Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008, Ministry of Defence, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI) was consulted for these proposals. The proposal of Government of Uttar Pradesh for setting up of Greenfield airport at Hirangaon was examined in consultation with the nodal agencies and M/o Defence did not recommend the project. Grant of Site clearance to these projects depends upon recommendations from M/o Defence, AAI, DGCA and the concerned State Government.

Necessary action for approval from various departments, project development, including financing of the airport project is taken by the respective airport promoter. The timeline for construction of airport projects depends upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure, etc. by the individual operator.

This information was given by Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Dr. Mahesh Sharma in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha yesterday.