Maharashtra mulls roping in pvt sector, JV with AAI to upgrade small airports

Pune: The government is eyeing the option of roping in private players to upgrade smaller airports in the state for improving air connectivity. Ashok Chavan, industry minister of Maharashtra, said the plan was to develop these airports on a BOT basis so that the commercial potential of these airports could be exploited fully and connectivity improved across the state.
This will provide a big boost to the region because some of the proposed airstrips for development are at Baramati, Solapur, Kolhapur and Karad are otherwise dependent on the Pune airport.
The other option is for the state to set up joint ventures with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for upgrading smaller airports that are with the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). However, a response from AAI is still awaited. “We would like the land costs to be taken into consideration and convert it into equity. We are awaiting a response on this,” Chavan told the media here on Tuesday.
Earlier this year, MIDC had taken over nine airstrips including the ones in Kolhapur, Nashik, Gondia, Nanded, Karad, Amravati and Baramati. There are a dozen more airstrips that are available in the state.
23/11/06 Pune Newsline

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