|
| Uttarakhand to launch re-bidding for airport |
| Shishir Prashant / New Delhi/ Dehra Dun Sep 12, 2009, 00:21 IST |
|
The Uttarakhand State Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (USIDCL) would shortly initiate the re-bidding process for hiring a consultant for the modernisation and expansion of the Naini-Saini airport at the hilly Pithoragarh district.
The move came after USIDCL, a state government enterprise, received a lacklustre response to the bidding process for hiring a consultancy firm early this year.
Only one bid was received in the process that forced the civil aviation department to initiate the process all over again.
When contacted, Civil Aviation Principal Secretary P C Sharma confirmed the move and said re-bidding process would be initiated shortly.
Besides, the expression of interests (EoIs) were also invited for expansion and strengthening of runway and upgrade of associated operational infrastructure and terminal facilities at the airport, which is gathering dust for the past several decades.
A couple of EoIs in this regard have been received and the officials are pursuing them.
The government intends to invest Rs 45 crore for the upgrade and modernisation of the Naini-Saini airport in Pithoragarh for promoting tourism and wants the airport to be developed under public-private partnership (PPP) mode.Significantly, last year also, the Naini Saini airport hit a roadblock as the government cancelled the tender process for hiring a consultancy firm on technical grounds.
The civil aviation department had invited tenders from various companies to suggest designing of the Naini-Saini airport. After evaluation process, the government was zeroing on engineer consultant and project manager RITES.
But Airport Planner and Design, a private company, raised objections over the tender procedure saying it quoted lower rates than RITES and threatened to move the court.
Sensing trouble, the government cancelled the entire tender process. Later, the government decided to hand over the airport development process to USIDCL, which was set up last year. The government has so far spent Rs 22-24 crore for the acquiring 17.8 hectare for the Pithoragarh airport where a total of 85 people were given compensation at the rate of Rs 1,200-1,300 per nali.
Under the modernisation plan, the airport is being upgraded to facilitate the landing of 70-72 ATR aircraft.
The airstrip of the airport would be made 1650 m long and 60 m wide. A separate terminal building will also be constructed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Read Business news in |  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advertisements |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Content Guide
