Centre to spend Rs 200,000 cr on airports in a decade

Chandigarh, Jan 4 (UNI) Minister of State for Civil Aviation Praful Patel today said that the Centre would be spending Rs 200,000 crore in a decade on the development of infrastructure of airports across the country.

"This would generate around 30 lakh employment opportunities," Mr Patel said while laying the foundation stone of an ultra modern state-of-the-art integrated Terminal building at the existing Chandigarh Airport.

The minister said that Chandigarh was emerging as prominent city in the country and leading to the development of industries, business and tourism in the adjoining states as well. This had led to demand of an international airport in the city.

Mr Patel said that the Central government had decided to build international airports in 35 non-metro cities, including Chandigarh and Amritsar.

He urged the Punjab government and Haryana government to submit their proposal to the Centre for setting up of airports where ever needed.

The proposed integrated building with an area of 12150 sq mtr will have a capacity of handling 200 departing and 200 arriving passengers during peak hours at the cost of Rs 77.97 crore.

Mr Patel assured that the upgradation of Chandigarh airport with all the ultra modern facilities would be completed within a year.

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