Cabinet nod to private airports, helipads for private use

New Delhi, Apr 24 (UNI) The Union Cabinet today approved construction of private airports, airstrips and helipads for private use.

It also asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) not to allow any greenfield airport within an aerial distance of 150 km of an exisitng civilian airport while granting a licence.

In case a greenfield airport is proposed to be set up within this distance, the impact on the existing civilian airport would be examined on case to case basis.

Such guidelines on greenfield airports will be notified by the Government from time to time, Information and Broadcasting Minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

He said all proposals for construction of private airports, airstrips and helipads for private use will now be decided by the DGCA, based upon security clearance through the Ministry of Home Affairs, without placing such matters for the consideration of the Cabinet.

This step will not only substantially liberalise the procedure for such constructions but also greatly reduce the burden on other operational airports, improving connectivity to far-flung locations without compromising on safety or public interest, he added.

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