According to official sources, the GoM has suggested that the 150-km restriction for new airports should be removed in case of existing military airports.
But tangle on Greater Noida airport continues
NEW DELHI: The Group of Ministers (GoM) constituted to finalise the greefield airport policy has recommended a relaxation in the 150 km criterion for deciding multiple airports at certain locations.
The Group comprises finance minister P Chidambaram, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia and civil aviation minister Praful Patel.
According to official sources, the GoM has suggested that the 150-km restriction for new airports should be removed in case of existing military airports-specifically military airports at Goa, Vishakhapatnam, Pune and Pathankot.
The GoM has said that second airports can come up at these locations even within the 150 km radius; but the 150-km rule remains applicable on all other greenfield airport proposals.
The GoM has submitted its recommendations to the Cabinet for inclusion in a comprehensive greefield airport policy which is expected to be announced shortly.
However, the contentious issue of allowing UP Chief Minister Mayawati’s pet project at Greater Noida continues to be mired in difficulties.
While on the one hand, Patel has declared that multiple airports are needed to augment infrastructure throughout the country, officials in his ministry are now busy finding ways around the 150-km tangle to please “behenji”.
The proposed airport at Jhevar, Greater Noida, would be only about 70 km away from the Delhi International Airport (DIAL) and there seems to be no justification for allowing the new project to commence. Not only does the Jhevar project breach the 150 km caveat, DIAL’s traffic handling projections also do not justify a second airport.
Then, the Government also does not seem willing to renegotiate the revenue model for DIAL in case Jhevar is allowed to come up. Speaking to DNA Money, a senior civil aviation ministry official clarified, “There is no move to renegotiate the revenue model for DIAL. If the Greater Noida airport is allowed, even then the GMR Group has the first right of refusal in bidding for this new airport. We do not want a monopoly of developers for greenfield airports anyway.”
As per the existing agreement, DIAL has to share about 46% of revenue from operations with AAI.
It could not be ascertained whether DIAL has actually sought a renegotiation of the revenue sharing pact since the DIAL spokesperson remained unavailable for comments.
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