Question : PROPOSALS FOR NEW AIRPORTS

(a) whether the Union Government has identified the cities where civil air services are required;

(b) if so, whether the Union Government has received proposals from several States for setting up of new airports as well as upgradation/expansion/modernisation of airports and airstrips in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof alongwith the action taken thereon, State-wise, airport-wise;

(d) whether the Planning Commission has accorded sanction to the aforesaid projects;

(e) if so, the details thereof alongwith total amount to be spent thereon;

(f) whether the private sector is also included in these schemes;

(g) if so, the details thereof; and

(h) the time by which these projects are likely to be completed?

MINISTER OF STATE(INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) & (h) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement in reply to parts (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) & (h) of Lok Sabha () Starred Question No.122 for answer on 9.12.2004 regarding Proposals for New Airports.

(a) : The identification of cities for provision of civil air services is a continuous process and is taken up on various emerging socio-economic factors from time to time. Greenfield airport is permitted where an existing airport is unable to meet projected traffic requirements or a new focal point of traffic emerges.

(b) & (c) : A number of cities and towns have been proposed by the concerned State Governments for construction of new airports. For instance, Pakyong, Gangtok (Sikkim), Chiethu, Kohima (Nagaland), Mopa, Panaji (Goa), Chakan, Pune & Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra), Ludhiana (Punjab), Ajmer (Rajasthan), Devanahalli (Bangalore), Gulbarga, Bellary & Bijapur (Karnataka), Shamshabad, Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh), Kannur (Kerala) and Itanagar (Arunachal Pradesh). Similarly some State Governments have also requested upgradation / expansion / modernization of airports such as Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Dehradun in Uttaranchal, Lucknow & Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Surat in Gujarat, Jaisalmer & Jaipur in Rajasthan, Mysore in Karnataka, Nagpur in Maharashtra, Raipur in Chhattisgarh and Cuddapah in Andhra Pradesh.

(d) & (e): Government of India has already given approval for setting up of new international airports at Devanahalli near Bangalore, Shamshabad near Hyderabad and Mopa in Goa. Other proposals for new airports are in preliminary stages of consideration and Planning Commission will be consulted at appropriate stages wherever necessary. Approximately Rs.1260 crores are likely to be spent in construction of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) and Rs. 1300 crore in Hyderabad International Airport Limited (HIAL). The cost of construction of Mopa airport is yet to be estimated.

(f) Private Sector participation is envisaged in construction of new greenfield airports.

(g) & (h) : The projects regarding BIAL and HIAL are likely to be completed within 33 months and 36 months of the financial closure respectively. In case of Mopa airport the State Government has undertaken detailed techno-economic feasibility study and the likely completion schedule is not known at present.