BAPL to approach airlines to firm up routes this month

Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Limited (BAPL), which is undertaking the first airport city in the country near Durgapur, is likely to approach domestic airlines in July to firm up the routes that will be serviced from the facility.

“The route map has been completed. We will meet with all major domestic airlines to firm up the routes,” BAPL chief executive officer Subrata Paul said.

Durgapur is likely to be connected to Delhi and Mumbai with direct flights, and services between Guwahati and Bagdogra to southern cities like Chennai and Bangalore could be routed through the new airport, Paul said.

Meanwhile, the final tranche of land from the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC), part of the 1,800 acres that the state-run agency will provide, is expected to be received this month, Paul added, subsequent to which construction is to commence. The total land requirement for the project stands at about 2,300 acres.

BAPL is yet to finalise the bid for the construction of the actual airport, which is understood to have players including Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Simplex Infrastructure, Hindustan Construction Co (HCC) in the fray.

Although Paul declined to reveal the exact quantum of the deal, he said that a final decision could be taken as early as mid-July.

Moreover, the firm is continuing to work on tying-up its finances, with a requirement of about Rs 600 crore in the first phase.

“We are in the last leg. Things will be clear in the next few weeks. The debt to equity ratio is still be worked out,” Paul added.

The Aerotropolis project, which is expected to be completed in a span of 5-7 years, will involve a total investment of approximately Rs 10,000 crore through various strategic development partners. Changi Airports International (CAI) of Singapore has taken a 26 per cent stake in BAPL.

The project aims to attract about $2.2 billion of investments through various strategic partnerships and investments.

It will be home to approximately 61,000 people and will generate over 86,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.