Bhopal airport expansion gets nod

The decks have reportedly been cleared for an air-cargo hub, a science research institute and the expansion of Biaragarh (Bhopal) airport for awarding it international status.

Mumbai-based Gremach Infrastructure Equipment & Project Ltd has floated four projects in Madhya Pradesh with a combined investment of Rs 800 crore, including a cargo hub near Bhopal airport, the development of proposed convention centre and an IT SEZ.

"The defence ministry is learnt to have cleared a proposal for the exchange of 400 acres near the airport. We have to hand over this land to the defence department in some other locality in lieu of which we will get 400 acres from it. A proposal was pending with the defence ministry. We have received the information that it has been cleared yesterday," Bhopal Collector JS Mathur told Business Standard.

With this clearance, the Bhopal administration will be able to transfer a portion of the land to the state industries department where a cargo hub is proposed. Gremach had demanded an area of 250 acres near the airport.

However, an industry department insider told Business Standard that only a cabinet decision would okay the transfer of land for the cargo hub.

"We compensated the residents of village Pipulner for acquiring 400 acres for the defence department, paying them Rs 52 crore in lieu," Mathur added.

The Union Cabinet had recently given its approval to the setting up of two Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research (IISERs) at Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram, at Rs 1,000 crore.

Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram IISERs are fourth and fifth in the chain of IISERs to be set up in the country by the Ministry of Human Resource Development.

"We have earmarked a land area of approximately 200 acres for the institute," the collector said. The state cabinet will now decide and approve the proposal of the transfer of land.

The defence ministry has its Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) centre near Biaragarh airport over approximately 200 acres which will be used by the state government for these projects.

The state department of industry is yet to float bids for carbo and maintenance hub while the expansion will require 100 acres of land. The state government has reviewed the demand of land for the purpose.

"If things get cleared, we will hand over the land to the defence department as soon as the state cabinet approves it," Mathur said.