Kolkata airport upgrade may see cost escalation

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International airport(NSCBI) modernization project, at an estimated investment of Rs 2000 crore, might witness a cost escalation, in this current scenario of market downturn.

Speaking at the Bharat Chamber of Commerce(BCC), SPS Bakshi, executive director of project of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), said, "The overall expenditure of the project might go up by seven to eight per cent if there is input price escalation, however we are hopeful of concluding the project by 2010."

AAI had already approved consultants for the Kolkata project, which included Aeroport du Paris Internationale and RMJM of Hong Kong.

AAI had approached the central government, for constructing an elevated corridor connecting the approach to New Town and Belgharia highway, thus relieving traffic conjestion on VIP road leading to the airport, said Bakshi.

NSCBI could handle 730,000 international and 4,700,000 domestic passengers annually at present. Usage rose 19 per cent in 2006-07 and 36 per cent last year. After the completion of the first phase of the modernisation project of the Kolkata airport, at an approximate investment of Rs 2000 crore, it will have handling capacity of 24 millon passengers per annum (MPPA).

According to him, 700-800 aircraft flew over Kolkata of which at least 100 aircraft could avail of the DumDum airport for refuelling, thus generating additional revenue. AAI recently asked the state government to identify land for a third runway.

"AAI might need a third runway after the first phase is complete," said Bakshi.

AAI aimed to expand and modernise 35 non metro airports within 2010, added Bakshi.

The master plan for Kolkata entailed four check in counters for of all airlines in a bid to prevent inconvenience to passengers, along with 16 additional security gates.