The Union ministry of civil aviation has stated that a decision on the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports will be taken in the next two months. The Airports Authority of India is expected to take up construction of the Kolkata airport as soon as the West Bengal government hands over the project.
The modernisation of Kolkata airport is expected to cost about Rs 2,000 crore. Out of this amount, 40 per cent is expected to be taken up in the 11th Plan and the remaining in the 12th Plan. AAI is expected to implement the entire project out if its internal accruals, though it may resort to market borrowings as well. For the Chennai airport, the ministry is still awaiting a final decision on land acquisition issue for the construction of the second runway instead of a green field project.
A public-private partnership cell will be set up in the ministry to help in the development of non-aeronautical business of non-metro airports. The ministry will undertake the development/construction/improvement of airports and civil enclaves in the north-eastern region as per an MoU signed between AAI and the North-East Council. According to the MoU, the NEC reimburses 60 per cent of the cost of the project and the remaining 40 per cent is funded by the Centre in equal ratio of loan (20 per cent) and grant (20 per cent).
The major projects likely to be taken up during the 11th Plan include expansion and strengthening of apron at Agartala, construction of new terminal building at Barapani, Shillong, extension of runway, construction of terminal building and new apron at Dibrugarh, construction of international terminal building additional parking stand, strengthening and extension of runway and construction of new control tower-cum- technical block at Guwahati, expansion of apron and additional link taxiway at Imphal, construction of new airport at Itanagar, Pakyong and Kohima, construction of new terminal building at Jorhat, operationalisation of airport for ATR-72 operation at Passighat and modification of terminal building at Silchar.