Question : Construction of New Airports

(a) whether the Government proposes to construct new airports and upgrade the existing airports in small and major cities of the country and if so, the details and locations thereof, State/UT-wise;

(b) the details of airports constructed and made operational in the country during the last three years and the current year along with funds allocated, released and utilized during the said period, State/ UT-wise and year-wise; and

(c) the time by which new airports are likely to be made operational?

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement in reply to part (a), (b) & (c) of the Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 73 for 21.07.2016 regarding ''Construction of New Airports''.

(a): Government of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation has granted ''in-principle'' approval to 15 new airports i.e. Mopa in Goa, Navi Mumbai, Shirdi and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, Bijapur, Gulbarga, Hasan and Shimoga in Karnataka, Kannur in Kerala, Durgapur in West Bengal, Dabra in Madhya Pradesh, Pakyong in Sikkim, Karaikal in Puducherry, Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh and Dholera in Gujarat. Further, the recently launched National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP), 2016 already provides for revival of un-served or under-served airstrips on the basis of demand depending on firm commitment from the airline operators and the State Governments, who agree to provide various concessions envisaged in the Policy. The Finance Minister has already announced in the Budget for revival of such airports. (b)& (c): During the last three years, Durgapur Airport, West Bengal has been operationalized on 18th May, 2015, with an Air India flight connecting this Airport to Kolkata. Besides, during the last three years Airports Authority of India have taken modernization and upgradation of the terminal building of 6 airports. Details of work alongwith expenditure incurred and date of completion is at Annexure I.The timeline for construction of airport projects depend upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure etc. by the promotor. Necessary action for approval from various departments for project development including the finances for the project is to be taken by the respective airport developer/project proponent. Government of India grants ''site clearance'' followed by "in principle approval" and acts as facilitator/co-ordinator with various departments to ensure that the project is not delayed. Further, request for proposal for two major airport projects in the country, one at Navi Mumbai and another at Mopa, Goa, have been issued. The construction of a new airport at Pakyong in Sikkim has also progressed to a considerable extent for being operationalised by September, 2017.