Lohegaon airport expansion stuck in red tapism

Pune: The Airports Authority of India (AAI), aware that lack of space at the Pune International Airport is stifling its growth, has written to the civic administration for earmarking 200 acres around the terminal for future expansion.
However, the plan seems to be gathering dust in the civic administration’s offices. For, the collector’s office has replied asking the AAI to acquire the land on an individual basis from the private parties.
AAI has stated that with most land around the airport belonging to the Air Force, it was up to the civic administration to acquire and earmark the 200 acres between the terminal and Viman Nagar — it is currently vacant and owned by various private parties — for extension of the airport.
AAI officials have also requested the Pune Municipal Corporation that expansion of airport should be included in an integrated city development plan. This will also help in increasing its operations — currently it caters to 35 flights daily.
The AAI had sent a letter to the district collector last November and followed it up with two reminders this year.
21/05/06 Manu Pubby/Pune Newsline

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