The government said on Thursday the development of Kolkata and Chennai airports would be taken up on a priority basis after due consultations, besides modernisation of 35 non-metro airports at a cost of Rs 7,000 (Rs 70 billion) to Rs 8,000 crore (Rs 80 billion).
Talking to reporters after the meeting of the Committee on Infrastructure chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the 35 non-metro airports, including two greenfield airports at Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, would be developed by the Airports Authority of India.
Public-private partnership route would be preferred for non-aeronautical exercises.
Singh had laid a special emphasis on development of North-East airports and also the greenfield airports at Sikkim and Arunchal Pradesh, Patel said. The construction work is likely to begin next year and be completed by 2008-09, he added.
Partner for the PPP would be decided after due bidding process.
Patel said the Planning Commission has evinced keen interest on the development of non-metro airports.
The commission and finance ministry have accorded in-principle approval, allowing AAI to go for market borrowing as and when required, the minister said.
Replying to a query, Patel said final touches were being given to the Civil Aviation Policy and it would be presented to the Cabinet for its approval soon.
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