(a) the number and details of airports planned to be made
operational in different parts of the country in the next
financial year or in the next five year plan,
particularly in the State of West Bengal;
(b) whether the Government proposes to develop airports at
district level in view of the increased requirements of
different religious and industrial destinations;
(c) if so, the details thereof, locationwise alongwith the
steps taken in this regard; and
(d) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI AJIT SINGH)
(a),(b),(c)&(d) The operationalisation / development of
airports in the country, including West Bengal, is an
ongoing process and is taken up depending upon the traffic
demand and availability of resources. The airports taken up
for development are Jalgaon, Jaisalmer, Bhatinda, Bikaner
and Kadapa.
Further, Keeping in view the enormous growth in air
passengers, which has put pressure on air infrastructure and
to encourage infusion of greater investment in airport
sector, Government had pronounced a policy for greenfield
airports in April, 2008. This policy states that it would be
the endeavour of the Central Government to ensure that all
approvals and clearances are given in a timely manner. State
Government may facilitate by giving incentives to an Airport
Company such as land, concessional or otherwise; real estate
development rights in and around the airports; airport
connectivity; rail, road; fiscal incentives by way of
exemptions from State taxes; and any other assistance that
the State Government deem fit. A Steering Committee under
the Chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation
has been constituted to coordinate and monitor the various
clearances required for setting up of a Greenfield airport.
The promoter seeking to develop the airport has to submit
the proposal to the Government for consideration by the
Steering Committee. Application for setting up of
Greenfield airport are received from time to time, which are
considered by the Steering Committee/competent authority for
grant of `in principle` approval, after they have completed
all necessary formalities of obtaining pre-feasibility study
report, site clearance, clearances from regulatory agencies,
etc.
The timeline for construction of airport projects depends
upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of
mandatory clearances, financial closure, etc.
In pursuance of Policy for Greenfield Airports, the Central
Government has accorded `in-principle` approval for setting
up of a Greenfield airports at Mopa in Goa, Navi Mumbai,
Sindhudurg and Shirdi in Maharashtra, Bijapur, Gulbarga,
Hassan and Shimoga in Karnataka, Kannur in Kerala, Durgapur
in West Bengal, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, Karaikal in
Puducherry and Dabra in Madhya Pradesh (for cargo airport).