Silchar may soon get new greenfield airport

GUWAHATI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received a proposal to develop a new greenfield airport in Silchar , Union minister of state in charge of civil aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri, has informed the Lok Sabha. The minister said that AAI has requested the Assam government to share the land details for conducting a pre-feasibility study.

Puri added that the civil aviation department has also granted an 'in-principle approval' for setting up a new greenfield airport at Hollongi in Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. "For Hollongi airport, AAI has started preparing the bidding documents," he stated.

The minister further said, "AAI has initiated action for the construction of a new terminal building at airports in Guwahati and Imphal, re-carpeting of the runway at Lilabari Airport, extension of runway and allied works at airports in Dibrugarh and Barapani, strengthening of runway at Dimapur Airport, construction of hangar and cargo building at Agartala Airport and the development of Rupsi and Tezu airports."

The minister also added that development of airports is a continuous process and is undertaken by AAI from time to time, depending on factors such as availability of land, commercial viability, socioeconomic considerations, traffic demand and willingness of airlines to operate to and from particular airports.

He added that setting up an airport is a lengthy and time-consuming process as it depends upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances and financial closure.