Question : STATUS OF INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT PORT BLAIR

(a) the details of land requirement projected in the original proposal for construction of new terminal building of the Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair and the extent of land projected in the revised proposals;

(b) the present status of land transfer to the implementing agency;

(c) the time by which the proposed terminal building is likely to be constructed and commissioned and given the status of an International Airport;

(d) whether the airport has 24 hours landing clearance and if so, the details thereof;and

(e) whether any incentives are likely to be offered to International Airlines operators for landing at the airport and,if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL)

(a) & (b) The requirement of land projected initially by Airports Authority of India (AAI) for construction of a new terminal building of Veer Savarkar International Airport at Port Blair was 26.50 acres,which was reduced to 18.71 acres on the request of the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. While 10.60 acres of land have been handed over by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration and PWD to AAI, the process is on for obtaining working permission for 4.72 acres of land from the Indian Navy. The remaining 3.39 acres of land is still to be acquired.

(c) The projected date of completion of New terminal building is December, 2017 and is scheduled for commissioning by March, 2018.

(d) Veer Savarkar International Airport belongs to Indian Navy and AAI maintains a Civil Enclave at this airport for handling civil operations. Air Traffic Services are provided by Indian Navy at this airport. The present watch hours are from 0545 hours to 1605 hours.

(e) No, Madam. No such proposal, at present.