"The process of modernisation of the two airports is in the final stage. The eGoM will take a decision on technically selected bidders in its meeting on Monday. And within a couple of days of that (happening), we expect to open the commercial bids for the technically qualified bidders," Civil Aviation Secretary Ajay Prasad said in New Delhi on Friday.
"The awards will be given to the winning bidders," he said, participating at a 'Open House on Civil Aviation'.
Admitting that the process of modernisation of airports was very "torturous and slow", Prasad said Delhi would have a parallel runway by 2010, while Mumbai would have a runway to be exclusively used for domestic airlines.
"The first phase of the development of Delhi airport must be completed by March 2010. In 2010, you have to have a large parallel runway in Delhi and also a large terminal, which can handle 80 million passengers yearly," he said.
Prasad said the process of bidding for another runway in Mumbai to be used for domestic carriers has already been started.
"We have had a plan prepared by an Australian company." The Civil Aviation secretary said the Ministry has prepared a contingency plan to avoid delay of airlines during winter due to fog.
© 2026