AAI to develop projects worth ₹25,000 crore over the next five years

November 29, 2021: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken up developmental projects worth around ₹25,000 crore over the next five years for expansion and modification of existing terminals, new terminals, expansion or strengthening of existing runways, aprons, air navigation services, control towers, technical blocks etc.

Three Public-Private Partnership (PPP) airports at Delhi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru have undertaken developmental projects to the tune of ₹30,000 crore by 2025.

Around ₹36,000 crore have been planned for investment in the development of new greenfield airports across the country under PPP mode.

Government of India (GoI) has accorded 'in-principle' approval for setting up of 21 greenfield airports across the country. So far, eight greenfield airports namely, Shirdi in Maharashtra, Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala, Orvakal in Andhra Pradesh, Kalaburagi in Karnataka, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh have been operationalized.

Under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), also known as the Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) Scheme, as on Nov 24, 2021, 393 routes have commenced connecting 62 unserved and underserved airports, including 2 water aerodromes and 6 heliports.

“Development of infrastructure projects is an ongoing process. The timeline for completion of an airport development project depends upon many factors, such as, land acquisition by the concerned State Government, receipt of mandatory clearances from various Government entities and regulatory authorities, changes in traffic volumes, financial closure by the airport developer and disruptions due to man-made or natural causes. Most of the above-mentioned developmental projects are likely to be completed over the next five years,” reads the information given by the minister of state in the ministry of civil aviation V. K. Singh to a question in Rajya Sabha today.