Date:05/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/05/stories/2008080550950700.htm

Back RITES to study commercial viability of 32 non-operational airports

Manish Basu

Kolkata, Aug. 4 The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has taken up the development of 32 non-operational airports across the country for commercial use. The Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) has been asked to conduct a feasibility study to look into the commercial viability of the project, according to AAI sources. “RITES has been asked to submit a detailed report within 10 weeks after assessment of the business potential at the selected non-operational airports.

“The AAI will then decide which of the selected airports will be extended for operation,” a senior AAI official said.

All the 32 airports selected for the survey are currently under the jurisdiction of AAI. A large number of these airports had been closed down due to commercial non-viability and, in some cases, the airstrips have not been used for quite some time, he said.

There are also a number of airports and aerodromes under the Ministry of Defence, different State Governments and in private use that may be taken up for commercial usage, the sources say.

Mr P.K. Singhal, Regional Executive Director of the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, said, “The airports chosen for re-opening would need to be prepared with runways of at least 3,500 feet in length.” They also have to be provided with terminal buildings, approach lights, fire stations, powerhouses and other amenities, he added.

From the Eastern Zone, 10 such airports have been selected for the feasibility study, Mr Singhal said.

These include airports at Asansol, Balurghat, Behala and Malda in West Bengal, Muzaffarpur, Jogbani and Raxaul in Bihar, Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, Chakulia in Jharkhand and Jharsuguda in Orissa.