Question : AIRPORT PROJECTS IN RAJASTHAN

(a) the total number of airports in Rajasthan and the details of the on-going airport projects in the State along with their present status;

(b) the details of the airports which are proposed to be upgraded to international airports and the places where small airports are proposed to be constructed in the State during the 12th Five Year Plan period along with the funds sanctioned for this purpose;

(c) whether the Government has received any request from the State Government of Rajasthan to identify more places for construction of small airports and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government thereon; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to develop Greenfield airport in Alwar district of Rajasthan and if so, the details and the present status thereof along with the time-frame fixed for completion of this project?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a): There are total 38 airports/airstrips in Rajasthan belonging to the State Government (23), Defence (8), Airports Authority of India (AAI) (4) and Private parties (3). Presently AAI has taken up development work of Kishangarh Airport for operation of Q-400 type aircraft and runway extension work at Jaipur airport for operation of Category `E` type aircraft.

(b): Government has decided to promote the six metro airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad as International hubs to serve as the main access points for international travel to and from India, as this is essential for developing domestic civil aviation. In 12th Five Year Plan, AAI has allocated Rs.2 crore for development of Kishangarh airport in Rajasthan.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Government of India has received a proposal from Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC) for setting up of a Greenfield Airport at Alwar. Since the proposed location of airport is within 150 kms periphery of IGI Airport, Delhi, the clearance of the project depends upon impact assessment on IGI Airport, Delhi and the recommendations of M/s Delhi International Airport Pvt. Ltd. (DIAL), AAI, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Ministry of Defence (MoD). As such, no definite timeline for the project can be envisaged at this stage.