'Development of Bhiwadi airport depends on economic viability'

Site clearance has been given on a conditional basis for a greenfield airport near Bhiwadi in Rajasthan and further development will depend on various factors including economic viability, the government said today.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said site clearance for setting up a greenfield airport near Bhiwadi in Alwar district, Rajasthan, subject to some conditions, was given in November 2015.
Greenfield airports require clearances in two stages -- site approval and then 'in-principle' nod.
"In case of proposed airport at Bhiwadi, the site clearance has been granted and further development would depend on preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR), its economic viability and financial closure subject to the in-principle approval," Sinha said.

When asked whether existing rules bar having another airport within 150 kilometres of an existing one, the minister replied in the negative.
"As per greenfield airport policy, in case a greenfield airport is proposed to be set up within 150 kilometres of an existing civilian airport, the impact on the existing airport would be examined and such cases would be decided by the government on a case to case basis," he said.

With respect to the Hyderabad international airport, Sinha said no new international airport can be developed within 150 kilometres for a specific period.
Responding to another question, Sinha said the Ministry has not received any proposal for development of new airports in Bihar either from the state government or from any private party as per the greenfield airport policy.

To a separate query, Sinha said ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) had raised observation that all aerodromes serving scheduled air transport operations, including military aerodromes, are required to be certified.
"However, at present defence aerodromes are exempted from licensing by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) up to December 31, 2016," he noted.