A consortium led by Kolkata-based infrastructure developer Pragati47 is awaiting the third stage approval for its proposed aerotropolis project.
Project awaiting third stage approval
MUMBAI: A consortium led by Kolkata-based infrastructure developer Pragati47 is awaiting the third stage approval for its proposed aerotropolis project in the industrial hub of Durgapur -Asansol in West Bengal.
Christened Bengal Aerotropolis Projects, the project costing Rs 5,500 crore, will come up in 2,300 acres in Andal, between Durgapur and Asansol.
The consortium aims to complete the project in 5 years once the green light is given with the airport becoming operational in 3 years.
Aerotropolis refers to a planned city, with an airport as its core, surrounded by clusters of enterprises and communities.
Raj Shekhar Agrawal, managing director, Pragati47, told DNA Money, “The project has received two stages of approval from the ministry of civil aviation.
Currently, the nearest airport to the area is Kolkata at 170 km. While Durgapur and Asansol are among the most industrialised areas in the country, air connectivity to this region remains extremely poor. The minister has been extremely supportive of our project.”
Besides aviation-related activities, the Bengal Aerotropolis project will have an information technology park, various industrial units, entertainment hubs, malls and residential units.
A Hong Kong-based firm has been roped in to develop the master plan for the project. The company also plans to talk to theme park operators for setting up a theme park.
An MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility is also on the cards.
Talks are on with the Singapore-based Changi Airports International which had earlier expressed its interest in collaborating with Bengal Aerotropolis.
Air India and other airlines have expressed their interest in flying to Durgapur.
Pragati47 is also planning to replicate the aerotropolis concept in other parts of the country.
An aviation analyst told DNA Money, “Such projects are a combination of urban planning, airport planning, and business strategy. The concept of aerotropolis has been gaining traction the world over and especially in Asia.”
West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation, Asansol Durgapur Development Authority (ADDA), Pragati Social Infrastructure & Development (Pragati47 and Hudco joint venture), Citystar Infrastructure and Lend Lease make up the consortium.
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