Jaipur airport runaway extension work may begin next year

This followed a directive by Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh to the AAI not to undertake the proposed construction work for runway extension during the day in the winter season.

Singh in a letter to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the work on extending and strengthening the runway at Jaipur Airport has now been "tentatively planned to be taken up at night hours only during the next summer schedule to ensure minimum disruption of flights".

He said the AAI proposal to close the runway daily from 1100 to 1800 hours during winter schedule, starting October, has not been approved.

The minister's letter came after Gehlot wrote to him that the work planned for two years from October would have a "severe and crushing impact" on tourism in Rajasthan.

The decision was also opposed by various tourism associations in the state, with MPs from there also meeting Singh to seek a review of the decision.