Steering panel clears MP cargo airport

The first greenfield cargo airport to be developed as a joint venture with Madhya Pradesh government and Gwalior Agriculture Company Limited (GACL), a subsidiary of Gwalior Sugar Company Limited (GSCL), has been given ‘in-principle’ approval by steering committee.

The committee is headed by the civil aviation secretary and includes representatives from all ministries and departments concerned.

The cargo airport will be developed at Dabra, 42 km south of Gwalior, and is awaiting approvals from the Airport Authority of India and DGCA approval. GACL and the state government aim to set the international cargo airport with a l inked special economic zone.

“The joint-venture project has been given in-principle approval and now is awaiting the AAI and Central government response,” a company source said.

The steering committee is responsible for processing proposals, convening meetings and coordinating with various partners. The state government selected GACL as equity partner. The state provided 3000 hectares, impounded under the land Ceiling Act.

The State Project Clearance and Implementation Board (PCIB) then gave in-principle clearance to the project. The project is expected to attract foreign direct investment of Rs 6000 crore.

The company aims to join hands with Singapore-based consultant Jurong International, which is linked to the Singapore airport consortium.

The facility is expected to be completed by 2010 subject to approvals. “The international cargo airport alone will be completed with an investment of Rs 800-1000 crore,” the source said.

The project will be completed in four phases. The first phase will create an aviation facility, while the second phase will have the air-cargo and logistics hub.

In the third phase, the company will develop an industrial or agro processing park and in the fourth phase build a township, medical tourism facilities, a biotech university and leisure destinations.

State government officials were not available for comment.