Government grants approval for setting up 13 airports: Minister

The central government on Wednesday said that it has granted 'in-principle' approval for setting up 13 greenfield airports across the country.

According to Minister of State for Civil Aviation Mahesh Sharma, the government has granted 'in-principle' approval to 13 sites.

"The government has granted 'in-principle' approval to 13 projects: Mopa in Goa, Navi Mumbai, Sindhudurg and Shirdi in Maharashtra, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Hassan and Shimoga in Karnataka, Kannur in Kerala, Dabra in Gwalior, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and Karaikal in Puducherry," Sharma said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

On the setting up of a greenfield airport near Bhiwadi in Alwar district of Rajasthan, Sharma said: "Government has granted site clearance to Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) for setting up of a greenfield airport near Bhiwadi."

The minister further informed the upper house of parliament that a view on setting up a greenfield airport at Jewar in Uttar Pradesh will be taken after receiving a complete updated proposal from the state government.

"Government of Uttar Pradesh is responsible for further progress in the project as necessary action for approval from various departments, project development, including financing of the airport project has to be obtained by the respective airport promoter," the minister said.

However, the minister added that 'in-principle' approval has been granted to the Uttar Pradesh government for setting up a greenfield airport at Kushinagar.