Question : BHOPAL AIRPORT

(a) the number of international airports proposed to be constructed by the Government and the number of cities where the said airports are under construction;

(b) the progress with regard to construction of international airports at Bhopal;

(c) the time by which the work on the airport is likely to be completed and the time by which international flights are likely to be started;

(d) the area of land acquired for expansion of airstrip at Bhopal airport;

(e) whether compensation for land acquisition has been paid;and

(f) if so, the amount paid as compensation?

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

a) `In-principle` approval for setting up of new greenfield airports at Navi Mumbai & Sindhudurg in Maharashtra; Mopa in Goa; Kannur in Kerala; Bijapur, Simoga, Gulbarga & Hassan in Karnataka; Andal (Durgapur) in West Bengal; Pekyong in Sikkim & Dabra/Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh (Cargo) have been accorded by the Government of India.

(b) & (c) Various development works have been taken up at Raja Bhoj Airport, Bhopal by Airports Authority of India (AAI) to meet the international standards like extension of runway to 2744 meters and strengthening for making it capable for B-757/ B767/AB-310 type of aircraft with probable date of completion (PDC) by September 2009, construction of new expendable modular integrated terminal building with PDC by March 2010 and construction of new apron along with link taxi tracks with PDC by March 2010.

(d) AAI has acquired additional 387.47 acres of land from Government of Madhya Pradesh for expansion of airstrip and development of other associated infrastructure at this airport.

(e) & (f) The land has been provided free of cost to AAI by Government of Madhya Pradesh.