Three greenfield airports get 'in principle' approval

The Civil Aviation Ministry has recommended 'in principle' approval to three new greenfield projects in the state of Andhra Pradesh, it was announced here on Monday.

According to the ministry, the Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports, headed by Civil Aviation Secretary R.N. Choubey, met here on Monday and considered the proposals for four new airport projects.

"The committee recommended 'in principle' approval to three projects in Andhra Pradesh viz., Bhogapuram, Dagadarthi (Nellore) and Orvakallu (Kurnool)," the ministry said in a statement.

"The committee also recommended for 'site clearance' to the project of Kothagudem in Telangana."

The ministry said that the new international airport at Bhogapuram will be developed by the state government under PPP (Public Private Partnership) mode at an estimated cost of Rs 2,200 crore to cater to 6.3 million passengers per annum (mppa) in the initial phase.

"The other two airports in Andhra Pradesh will be developed as domestic no-frills airports with an estimated cost of Rs 88 crore each," the statement said.

"Dagadarthi will be developed under the PPP mode while the project at Orvakallu will be developed by the state government itself."

The ministry pointed out that the steering committee has also recommended 'site clearance' for the new greenfield airport project at Kothagudem in Telangana.

"With this, Telangana is getting a second greenfield airport besides Hyderabad international airport," the statement added.

"These clearances are expected to enhance the aviation infrastructure facilities in newly created states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and will also boost the regional connectivity scheme announced recently by the Government of India."

--IANS

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