Hyderabad Greenfield Airport to Be Ready by Early 2008

Operational trials at the new international airport in Shamshabad near the capital city of Andhra Pradesh will begin by next year-end.
''There has been substantial progress in the past one year and the first flight could take off in first quarter of 2008,'' said Mr T. Srinagesh, chief operating officer of the GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited (GHIAL).The foundation stone for Rs 17.6 billion project spread over 5,500 acres was laid on March 16 last year by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.
About 11.77 million cubic metres of area has been cut of which 8.08 million cubic metres has been filled.The initial phase of new airport will be capable of handling seven million passengers and more than 100,000 tonnes of cargo per year.
''The ultimate capacity is over 50 million passengers and one million tonnes of cargo,'' said Mr Srinagesh.The GHIAL is a joint venture company promoted by GMR group with 63 per cent equity stake, Malaysia Airports Holding Berhard (11 per cent), the Andhra Pradesh state government (13 per cent) and the Airports Authority of India (13 per cent).
11/04/06 M.M.Khanna, Services India, Chandigarh/TravelVideo.tv

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