The upgradation of Visakhapatnam Airport in Andhra Pradesh is expected to be completed as scheduled by December 2006, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in the Rajya Sabha recently. About 70 per cent of the total work, which includes the construction of a new runway, apron, taxi track and isolation bay, has been completed. MVR Son Techno Builders Pvt. Ltd is executing the expansion the project.
The cost of the upgradation and expansion of Visakhapatanam Airport is estimated at Rs 191.52 crore out of which Rs 141.52 crore is being funded by the defence ministry and Rs 25 crore each by Airport Authority of India and Government of Andhra Pradesh. The cost of the new 10,000-foot long runway, apron, taxi track and isolation bay is Rs 90.80 crore.
The new terminal building is not part of this project. Flood control measures at the airport will be undertaken by the state government.
Himachal Pradesh: The work of constructing a new terminal building at Kullu-Manali Airport is likely to be completed by June 30, 2006, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told Parliament. The airport upgradation also entails the construction of a new apron to accommodate 3 ATR 42 type aircraft, a new taxiway, a fire station, MT workshop and car park.
AAI has earmarked around Rs 25.48 crore for the development of Kullu and Kangra airports and Rs 98.29 lakh for the development of Shimla Airport. Work at Kangra and Shimla airports is also under way.
Devanahalli: Work on the proposed Devanahalli Airport in Bangalore is progressing well and is on schedule. Several works under the project, such as, concreting of the terminal building columns, earthworks for the runway, taxiway and apron, and installation of drainage pipes in the apron area are in progress.