"The bidding will close on June 30. So far not a single response has been received. However, we are hopeful as there is a trend to submit bids at the last minute," Minister for Development of North Eastern Region Mani Shankar Aiyar said.
This round of bidding was opened after terms were revised as the previous one failed to evoke a proper response, Aiyar told reporters on the sidelines in an interactive session with members of the Indian Chamber of Commerce, Merchants of Commerce, Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Shefaxil.
Asked about the subsidy that the North East Council would offer to the operator, Aiyar said, there was nothing like fixed subsidy but the bidder which asked for least subsidy would be treated as L1 bidder.
He wondered at the poor response stating that 226 flights connected the North East with major cities every week are operating at full capacity.
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In the next three years, Aiyar hoped to have 400 internal connectivity from 12 regional airports and 50 airstrips in the region.
About business opportunity, he said the law and order was conducive for setting up industries. Aiyar, however, expressed concern on the low pace of investment in the region despite the revised North East Industrial and Investment Promotion Policy.