Question : Greenfield Airport Project in West Bengal

(a): whether the Government has undertaken a Greenfield Airport project in Andal, West Bengal and if so, the details thereof;

(b): whether the Government proposes to engage private companies to work on this project;

(c): if so, the details thereof and the timeline for the completion of the project;

(d): if not, the reasons therefor for abandoning the project; and

(e): the funds allocated and utilised so far in the development of this project and the time by which the airport is likely to become operational?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a) to (e): Government of India (GoI) had granted ''in-principle'' approval to M/s Bengal Aerotropolis Project Ltd (BAPL) for setting up of a domestic Greenfield airport for public use at Andal-Faridpur blocks in West Bengal in December 2008. The commercial operations have already commenced from 18th May, 2015, with an Air India flight connecting this airport to Kolkata. Government of India has not provided any funds for development of this airport. However, Rs. 670 crore is the total investment made for development of this airport by the project proponent.