In-principle approval for 4 greenfield airports in Karnataka

New Delhi, June 13 (UNI) In-principle approval was today given to Karnataka to set up greenfield airports in Gulbarga, Bijapur, Hassan and Shimoga.

The approval was granted at the first meeting of the Steering Committee on Greenfield airports, held under the chaimanship of Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Chawla, an official release said..

The approval is given on the conditions that standard operating procedure (SOP) would be formalised between DGCA, AAI and Ministry of Defence regarding air space management for the airports at Gulbarga and Bijapur in view of the existing defence operations at Pune and Bidar.

The meeting also discussed in detail the format for applications for greenfield airports, and chalked out a three-stage approval process.

In the first stage, the proposal would be considered for the site clearance by the Steering Committee, based on the suitability of the location identified and the air space management. The clearance would be granted within three months of filing the application.

Once an applicant has the site clearance, it would proceed with project preparation exercise involving the preparation of Detailed Project Report, and acquisition and buying of land. After the proposal is formalised, an application to the Steering Committee would be made for granting 'in principle' approval to the project.

After seeking the 'in principle' approval, the applicant would approach the DGCA for a licence.

If adequate progress in implementation of the project is not made within 12 months from the grant of 'in-principle' approval, the approval would be withdrawn.

On April 24, the Government had approved the policy for greenfield airports, pursuant to which the Steering Committee was constituted to coordinate and monitor the setting up of the airports.

UNI YJ MIR AS1907