Transfer of Nagpur airport for cargo hub soon: Deshmukh

Nagpur, Dec 3 (UNI) Nagpur airport would shortly be handed over to the joint venture (JV) company to be formed for the development of the proposed Multi-Modal International Air Passenger and Cargo Hub at Nagpur (MIHAN) as all obstacles stalling the transfer had been removed, Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said here today.

Speaking to newpersons on the eve of the winter session of the state Legislature, Mr Deshmukh said that the state government had agreed to absorb all employees of AAI working at Nagpur airport into the JV company.

The JV company is to be formed with equity participation from the state government and the Ministry of Civil Aviation for the development of MIHAN, popularly known as the 'cargo hub.' The issue of the expenditure being incurred by the ministry on development works at Nagpur airport would also be sorted out, he asserted. It was 'not an issue at all' and would be resolved through discussions between the state government and the ministry, he said.

Mr Deshmukh said the state government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sical company of Singapore for the development of the road and rail terminals that were part of the MIHAN project. The MoU was signed in Singapore during the recent road show there to promote MIHAN among investors, the Chief Minister said.

Terming the Singapore road show a success, Mr Deshmukh said major investments were expected in MIHAN over the next year. Among those who had evinced keen interest was Wipro Chief Azim Premji, he also said.

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