Civil aviation ministry approves ''share till'' model for Navi Mumbai airport

Deadline for submission of bids extended to third week of January 2015

City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco), a Maharashtra government undertaking, has crossed yet another hurdle with the Union ministry of civil aviation clearing its plea for ‘share till’ approach for the Navi Mumbai international airport, on the lines of Delhi and Mumbai airports. This was one of the issues about which bidders had sought clarification from Cidco. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had personally spoken to Union Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju about 10 days ago seeking an early approval in this regard.

Cidco Vice-Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Bhatia told Business Standard: “Chief minister Fadnavis and the civil aviation ministry informed me about the approval for the ‘share till’ approach. ‘Share till’ means part of the revenue generated from non-aeronautical facilities will also be used for compensating airport passengers. With this, the project will become competitive. Cidco now hopes to get competitive bids.”

Bhatia said Cidco has extended the time for submission of request for qualification (RFQ) to the third week of January. “No further extension will be given,” he added.

Earlier, Cidco had extended the deadline for submission of RFQ to July 30, September 2 and October 31 and December 10. Cidco had issued the RFQ on February 5.

Tata Realty and Infrastructure, Zurich Airport, Ferrovial, MIAL, SREI Infrastructure, Samsung C&T, IL&FS, GMR Group, Shakat Aviation, Walnut Aviation, ESSEL Infrastructure and Vinci Concessions India had shown interest in project development.

Cidco is the nodal agency for the Navi Mumbai airport project. The project requires 2,268 hectares out of which 1,160 hectares will be used for aeronautical purposes. Cidco is in the process of acquiring of 600 hectares of private land for the airport project.