City of dreams.
After a delay of over three years, Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) has started the first stage of development on 200 acres of land around the airport in Sahar by inviting Request for Qualification (RFQ) from private developers to build hotels and other hospitality projects in the first phase. The project will be India’s first 24x7 business and leisure hub, claims airport operator GVK.
Christened as GVK Skycity, MIAL says the hotels, convention centres, retail entertainment centres including theme parks, shopping malls, commercial spaces will be developed on the lines of Bangkok airport, over a period of 8-10 years. Once complete, the project will change the skyline of the suburbs. It will also turn the area near the airport into a hub not only for air passengers, business executives but also for the local residents. The project has been designed by Hong Kong based architectural firm HOK.
“The land parcel for which the RFQ has been issued is vacant and in the possession of MIAL” says a MIAL spokesperson. Another MIAL official said that Skycity is being built in such a manner that an international passenger who comes there would have the urge to stay there as along as he could.
According to reliable airport sources, Maharashtra Urban Development gave its final nod to the proposal a few months ago and then the RFQ was issued. The delay happened because it took time to remove existing structures from the land parcel.
MIAL is already in litigation with HDIL after it terminated its contract with it for failing to shift and rehabilitate slum dwellers from around the airport within the stipulated time.
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) which is among the busiest airports in Asia will cater to 40 million passengers every year.
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