The Uttarakhand government has appointed Mumbai-based STUP Consultants (Pvt) Ltd as the consultant for the expansion and modernisation of Naini Saini airport in the hilly Pithoragarh district and has agreed to pay Rs 3.51 crore as the consultancy fees.
An investment of Rs 46.25 crore is proposed for expanding and strengthening the runway and upgrading other related operational infrastructure and terminal facilities at the Naini Saini Airport, which was not operational for years now.
Uttarakhand State Infrastructure Development Corporation, the nodal agency for the development of the airport, invited bids in 2008 for hiring a consultant but after a roadblock, STUP was chosen last year.
Objections were raised over the consultancy fees. But the civil aviation department pleaded the fees of Rs 3.51 crore be paid in the wake of high inflation.