Question : DEVELOPMENT UPGRADATION OF AIRPORTS

(a) the criteria fixed by the Government for development/ upgradation of airports to international airports in the country;

(b) whether the Government proposes to develop/upgrade a number of airports located in various States/UTs of the country particularly Jeypore (Odisha), Surat, Vijayawada, Tirupati and Jodhpur airports;

(c) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise along with the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon and the time- frame fixed for this purpose;

(d) the details of the proposals received by the Government from various States/UTs for development/upgradation of airports during the last three years and the current year along with the action taken thereon, State/UT-wise; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to use public- private partnership model for development, administration and management of certain airports in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the expression of interest (EOI) received from private companies in this regard?

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

(a): The Government has formulated a Draft Civil Aviation Policy indicating inter-alia the criteria for development/upgradation of airports to international airports in the country and placed it in the website of the Ministry of Civil Aviation for consultation of all stakeholders. As per the draft policy,, six metropolitan airports of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad would be developed as major international hubs which will be the main access points for international travel to and from India. A `hub-and-spoke` model will be followed which would also facilitate the development of regional networks and air connectivity as a whole.

(b)&(c): Yes, Madam. Details of works planned at Airports Authority of India (AAI) airports including Vijayawada and Jodhpur are at Annexure-f. Jeypore airstrip in Odisha belongs to State Govt. AAI has not received any request from State Govt. lor upgradation/ development of the airstrip. Surat Airport has already been developed to cater of A-320 type of aircraft operation. Construction of New Integrated Passenger Terminal Building at Tirupati is in progress.

(d): Details are at Annexnire II.

(e): Government of India intends to take the development and modernisation of Ahmedabad and Jaipur airports through PPP mode during the current year. It is also planned to take up Chennai and Kolkata airports under Management and Operation contract.