AAI to invest Rs 36,000 cr for new airports by 2012

New Delhi, June 27: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private airport developers will jointly pool together Rs 36,000 crore to develop six greenfield and 50 smaller airports over the next four-and-a-half years.

Of this amount, Rs 12,000 crore will come from internal accruals and other sources of the AAI. These airports will be located in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Bihar and northeastern states, said Mr K N Srivastava, joint secretary at the civil aviation ministry.

The government expects investments worth Rs 24,000 crore from private developers, he said while inaugurating a conference here today organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) and Ernst&Young.

The amount will be spent to put up about half-a-dozen greenfield airports in places like Shirdi and Solapur in Maharashtra, four in the northeast and one could be in Karnataka.

Mr Srivastava added that 50 smaller airports identified for the purpose will include over 12 in the northeast, seven or eight in Karnataka, one at Bhagalpur and some others in places like Gujarat.

The civil aviation ministry is in conclusive talks with air force authorities for use some of defence stations for civilian purposes during peak hours. A beginning for this may be made from Hindon Air Force Base Station in Ghaziabad.

Mr Srivastava said a committee has been constituted under Planning Commission member Anwar Hooda to suggest measures for establishing rail linkages from airports in 10 cities.

UNI