Dr Panjabrao Deshmukh Agricultural University has agreed to cede land for upgradation of Akola airport in Vidarbha, Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today informed the Legislative Council here.
He also said that the government had taken a policy decision that there should be two all-weather airports in every region of state.
Instead of Build-Operate-Transfer mode, the upgradation of Akola airport was being carried out by the state in association with Airports Authority of India, Chavan said.
It involves extension of runway up to 1,800 mt, to allow big aircraft to land.
The expansion work was delayed because of the university's reluctance to give land.
Chavan's reply came when Leader of Opposition Vinod Tawde, Ashish Shelar, Chandrakant Patil and Gopikishan Bajoria raised the matter through calling attention motion.
Chavan said the varsity would be given alternative land in Udgaon for its research wing and administrative building. It would also get a grant of Rs 4.21 crore for construction and for water supply facility.
Replying to a question, Chavan said AAI had not given permission to construction of underpass below the airstrip for the road traffic, but the issue can be sorted out through discussion.
