'Govt to spend Rs 850 cr on MP airports'

"Rs 850 crore will be spent on the expansion of airports in Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Khajuraho and Gwalior's Military Airbase in next one year. Work has been started at some of these airports," Patel said.        

Patel was here to attend the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) meeting.        

"The state government has allotted 350 acres of land for the expansion of Raja Bhoj Airport at Bhopal. Now the runway length of the airport will be extended by 3500 meter to enable large planes to land at Bhopal," he added.        

"Due to competition and Open Sky policy adopted by the ministry, air services in the country has become affordable for even general class people," he said, adding despite rise in international oil price, expansion of air services remained unaffected.        

Regular flights from Khajuraho have been started and the work of the terminal building will be completed soon. Night landing facilities are being developed at Jabalpur, he said.