(a) whether a plan for renovation and expansion of Airports in the country particularly in Kerala is under the consideration of the Government;
(b) if so, the amount, if any, spent thereon so far and the current status of each work; and
(c) the steps initiated so far to set up new Airports in the country with the State-wise details?
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN )
(a), (b) & (c) :- A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
Statement in reply to parts (a), (b) & (c) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No.8 to be answered on 18th November 2002 regarding Expansion of Airports.
(a) & (b):- Modernisation, renovation and expansion of airports is an ongoing process and is undertaken as and when required based on operational requirements of individual airports. As far as the airports in Kerala are concerned, at Calicut airport, strengthening and expansion of the runway from 6,000 feet to 9377 feet has been completed at a cost of Rs.99.53 crores, and construction of new fire station at an estimated cost of Rs.4.16 crores is in progress and likely to be completed in June, 2003. At Trivandrum airport, improvement of international terminal is being planned.
(c) :- Government of India has accorded `in principle` approval to the proposals of the State Governments of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Goa for construction of new international airports at Devanhalli near Bangalore, Shamshabad near Hyderabad and Mopa near Goa (Dabolim)respectively. The concerned State Governments are to promote and implement these projects with private sector participation. The airports at Devanhalli near Bangalore and Shamshabad near Hyderabad will be constructed as joint venture, with 74% private sector equity participation, and the remaining 26% equally shared by the respective State Governments and Airports Authority of India (AAI). Special purpose vehicles have been floated by these State Governments and private sector partners have been identified through global tender process.