MADC-MoD MoU for exchange of land in MIHAN

Nagpur, May 22 (UNI) A major hurdle in the way of implementation of the ambitious Multi-Modal International Air Passenger and Cargo Hub at Nagpur (MIHAN) was surmounted today, with the signing of an MoU between the Maharashtra Airports Development Company (MADC) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for mutual exchange of land.

According to the MoU, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will hand over nearly 400 hectares of land, now in its possession, to MADC for developing it as part of MIHAN, Union Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy Vilas Muttemwar said in a release here today.

Similarly, MADC will hand over an equal area of land for use by IAF, he said.

The MoU, which has the approval of the Maharashtra government, was signed in New Delhi after a high-level meeting chaired by Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju, the release said.

Of the 400 hectares, 278 hectares have been earmarked by IAF for setting up a base of its 'Gajaraj' (IL-76) transport aircraft, while the defence wing's air base is located on another 122 hectares.

MADC, IAF and the state government agreed to complete the exchange of land within a specific time-frame, it said, adding, the MoU was signed after all points of contention between MoD and MADC were 'sorted out' at the meeting.

''This will help start work on the second runway and other facilities in MIHAN, and expedite the execution of the project,'' Mr Muttemwar, Lok Sabha MP from Nagpur, said.

The 400 hectares are part of the land on which MIHAN is proposed to be developed and needs to be handed over by the IAF to MADC.

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