AAI starts work on Surat Airport

Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Saturday began the much-awaited work on the Surat Airport.

Union finance minister Jaswant Singh had on September 30 laid the foundation stone for the airport, which is expected to contribute to the overall development of the textile and diamond city.

Union rural development minister and member of parliament from Surat Kashiram Rana formally inaugurated the works.

The AAI is developing the airport at a cost of Rs 35 crore.

"With Surat all set to get a full-fledged airport, the course of development of Surat and the entire region will change and the region will emerge as the most important economic point in the country," Rana said, inaugurating the works.

"This will not be just an airport, but an important milestone in the development of Surat," he said.

He said Surat has the potential to provide a viable alternative to the overburdened Mumbai city.

"The need of the hour is fast implementation and completion of the Surat airport project. Any delay would affect the development of the region," he said.

He also lauded the role played by the Gujarat government in adopting a "visionary approach" and acquiring the land for the development of the airport.

For providing landing services to big aircraft, the runway has to be extended by 1,500 metres.

"The Surat airport can also reduce a lot of burden on the Mumbai airport at least on the cargo front in the initial phase," he said.

More funds, if required for this, could be made available with the citizens of Surat chipping in, he said.

Rana said in the past five years, four-lane highways of a total length of 24,000 kms had been completed. Eleven kms of new roads are being added everyday, he said.

Rajya Sabha member from Surat Savita Sharda said Surat should get an international airport and not just a domestic airport.

"The work should be completed in a time-bound manner and the tenders floated for this should have a penalty clause for any delay," she said.

Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) president Ashok Shah also spoke. While the first phase of the work has already been completed by the Gujarat government, the AAI, which has taken over the airport, will start with Phase Two.

"Under Phase II, the development of Surat Airport is being undertaken by the AAI at an estimated cost of Rs 35 crore," AAI western region director S S R Rao said. The work would be completed within 18 months.

A memorandum of understanding had been signed between the Gujarat government and the AAI for the Surat airport on September 30 at the global investors' summit.

After the MoU was signed, the Gujarat government transferred 312 acres of land to the AAI along with an additional 500 acres acquired around the airport for lengthening of the runway.

Under Phase II, work will be undertaken for strengthening and extension of the runway and construction of a new terminal building with modern facilities and passenger amenities for accommodating 150 passengers at a time and a car park.

At present, only up to 30 passengers can be accommodated by the Surat Airport. It is also proposed to construct a new fire station and new control tower. The runway will be equipped with night-landing facilities.

The work will also include installation of modern navigation facilities. In Phase III, upgradation of the airport to handle large aircraft will be taken up with private sector participation. The Gujarat government had undertaken the development of the airport in phases.

Under Phase-I, the runway has been extended to 4,600 feet and a link taxiway and apron have been constructed. At present the airport is suitable for operation of 50-seater class of aircraft.

Vayudoot and Gujarat Airways had been operating through Surat Airport and both discontinued their flights since May 1994 and January 2000, respectively.

Till date the Surat Airport belonged to the Gujarat Government. At present, there is no regular scheduled aircraft operations from the airport.

The AAI was providing air traffic Services, rescue and safety services and communication and navigational facilities.

Reliance vice president Hemant Desai, Olpaad MLA Dhansukh Patel, district development officer Murli Krishnan, district rural development agency director Bhaskar Dave, AAI general manager (airports) D K Vij and general manager (engineering) J S Dhiman were also present.