(a) whether the Government proposes to convert certain airstrips in the country including airstrip of Nagaur district of Rajasthan into airports;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise and
(c) the time by which conversion of these airstrips into airports is likely to be completed?
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Dr. Mahesh Sharma)
(a) to (c): Government of India has identified 5 existing airstrips namely, Hubli and Belgaum in Karnataka, Kishangarh in Rajasthan, Jharsuguda in Odisha and Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh to develop them as small airports as a part of its initiative to enhance regional and remote area connectivity. The construction and upgradation work at locations have already commenced. In addition, Airports Authority of India has received requests from State Governments of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh for development of their respective airstrips at Deogarh in Jharkhand, Raigarh in Chattisgarh into full fedged airports. Timeline for construction of airport projects depends upon many factors such as land availability by the respective State Governments, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure, etc.