The developer IRB Infrastructure has spent an estimated Rs 520 crore on the airport
The upcoming Sindhudurg airport in the southern Konkan region of Maharashtra may be commissioned in December. The first test flight landed on Wednesday, kicking off a series of subsequent test flights that will continue to land in the next few months.
Mumbai-based IRB Infrastructure Developers that has developed the greenfield airport, also called Parule Chipi Airport, has spent an estimated Rs 520 crore on the project.
The nearest airport from this location is around 130 away at Dabolim, Goa.
It is anticipated that a certain percentage of tourists landing at Dabolim Airport and headed to northern Goa may prefer this airport as the northern side of Maharashtra-Goa state border is just 50 km from the new airport.
On Wednesday, a Falcon 2000 12-seater aircraft made the maiden landing on the 2,500 metre, or 2.5 km, runway, which can be further extended up to 3.45 km. The 2,500 meter runway will be able to handle aircraft like the Airbus A320 and Boeing 737.
The company has a concession with Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation for a period of 95 years on Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer (DBFOT) basis.
A source said that depending upon the outcome of the test flights in the next couple of months, the company will apply for requisite licences to commission the airport.
The company is also in discussion with airlines to get air traffic and eventually make this airport a part of the larger Regional Connectivity Scheme of the civil aviation ministry.
"The structures for terminal building and other facilities are ready. At the moment, work is going on on the internal facilities," said a source. The terminal building has the capacity to handle 400 passengers at its peak.
Civil aviation minister Suresh Prabhu, has asked IRB Infrastructure Developers and Maharashtra government to resolve the pending issues related to Instrument Landing System and Very High Frequency (VHF) Omni-Directional Range System installations so that regular operations can begin from December.
The airport project was approved by the state government in 2008 and IRB was selected through a competitive bidding process in the subsequent year.
NEW ALTERNATIVE
- The developer IRB Infrastructure has spent an estimated Rs 520 crore on the airport
- A certain percentage of tourists landing at Dabolim Airport and headed to northern Goa may prefer this airport
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