Bhopal, Indore to get Rs 50 cr airport each

Two international airports will come up in Madhya Pradesh with an investment of Rs 50 crore each in Bhopal and Indore.

Various chambers of commerce and industry and industrialists like Azim H Premji had demanded the Madhya Pradesh government to establish more connectivity, cargo flight facility and international airports.

State chief minister has said he had been told by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel that the demand of an International Airport in Madhya Pradesh has reached "too late." But he has said his government would expand existing airports and would covert Indore and Bhopal airports into International Airports with an investment of Rs 50 crore on each.

In a meeting with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Tuesday evening, Mr Guar had been advised by the FICCI members that Bhopal, since it is equidistance from all metros, could be a maintenance and parking hub along the lines of Middletown and Boston airports that has been developed in the USA for the best air transportation and parking facilities. Industrialists and industrial organizations have also demanded cargo flight connectivity from Indore since special economic zone is also operational.

"The poor air-connectivity has hampered the growth and investment potential in the state," Sushil Jivrajika, FICCI's Western Council Chairman told BS.

A similar demand had come from Confederation of Indian Industry recently during "Aviation Conclave" in New Delhi, when MP government had discussed the potential in the aviation sector in the state.

The state government has yet to consider the industry's demand of reducing commercial taxes and surcharges on Aviation Turbine Fuel that is levied at the rate of 28.5 per cent.

"We are in talks with the Jet Airways to increase the frequency and convert their ATR connectivity into Boeing connectivity to Bhopal and Indore," Raghav Chandra, managing director MP State Industries Development Corporation told Business Standard.

Adding, "we are planning to pitch in both the airports as parking hub and will invite airliners."

However, the expansion of existing airports at both the places is in limbo.

The Bairagarh airport in Bhopal is located near a military sub-station and residential areas, "the removal of settled colonies and military area will be a big problem in order to expand the Bhopal airport since it requires at least 100 acres of land," a senior government official said.

Confederation of Indian Industry, PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry and now Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry have demanded connectivity to the rest of the world for Madhya Pradesh.

Only Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Air Deccan operates on Delhi, Bhopal and Mumbai sector from Madhya Pradesh. The state has direct flights to Southern region.