Paving the way for expeditious growth of aviation infrastructure in the country, the Planning Commission would soon come out with a model concession agreement (MCA) for greenfield airports.
The agreement will provide a framework for establishment of greenfield airports by state governments through private participation.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has already approved two greenfield aerotropolises at Ludhiana and Durgapur while it is working on the Itanagar project.
“The Planning Commission is preparing a Model Concession Agreement (MCA) for greenfield airports for use by the state governments,” Planning Commission sources said.
The Union Cabinet in April 2008 had approved a proposal for setting up of new greenfield airports as well as private airports, airstrips and helipads.
For the purpose, it came out with a new greenfield airports policy that dispensed with mandatory financial approvals for setting up new airports.
While giving approval, it was decided that no greenfield airport will be allowed within an aerial distance of 150 km of an existing civilian airport, official sources said, adding that in case it is proposed to be set up in the vicinity, its impact on the existing airport would be examined.
However, the government is yet to dispense with the aerial distance requirement for creation of new airports close to an existing one, the sources said.
In case, the 150 km requirement is dispensed with, it will substantially liberalise the procedure for construction of private airports, airstrips and helipads, thereby reducing the burden on other operational airports, they said.
The Planning Commission sources further said the civil aviation ministry had informed the Plan Panel that the aerotropolis projects for Ludhiana and Durgapur had been approved.
Both the projects are being developed by the Bengal Aerotropolis Projects Ltd. “The Expenditure Finance Committee would consider approval of Itanagar Airport after environmental clearance has been obtained,” the sources said.
