Cabinet approves proposal for new airports as aviation sector set to undergo major expansion

Airports around the country are slated to undergo major changes with new funds being directed for their improvement and expansion. An estimated cost of Rs. 5000 crore was earmarked in a proposal that was approved by the Union cabinet in a meeting held at Delhi on May 2. According to the proposal, new terminal buildings are sought to be built at the Chennai, Lucknow and Guwahati airports.

The aviation sector has been growing manifold in the country. In March, the sector registered a growth of 28%. A total number of 1.16 crore Indians undertook flight journeys during the month.

The present investment is aimed at reaching long term growth requirements of the airports. Civil Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu said that the expense of Rs. 2,467 crore set aside for the construction of new terminal buildings in Chennai Airport will take care of growth requirement till 2027. In addition, the airport will be enhanced with a capacity to handle 35 million passengers per annum.

The new terminal building of the Lucknow Airport is going to be built at a cost of Rs. 1232 crore. Aimed at reaching passenger growth requirements up to 2030-31, with an annual capacity reaching up to around 13.6 million passengers.

The development of a new terminal building at Guwahati is aimed at accelerating the Act East Policy’s thrust on placing Northeast India on the epicentre of country’s relation with the ASEAN countries. The tourism sector in the Northeast also, is believed to be achieving a major boost with the upgradation of the Guwahati airport. The new terminal building at the Guwahati aims to reach a capacity to handle 9 million passengers per annum. The terminal building will be built at a cost of Rs. 1383 crore.

The Aviation sector has been recording constant growth. In April 2018, the growth neared almost 30%. Mr. Prabhu reiterated that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government is motivated to keep up with this increasing scale of growth so that the experience of air travelling is constantly being improved.

The growth of the airports have to go hand in hand with the growth of the ever expanding aviation sector. Hence, he stressed upon the need to keep pace with the already prevailing growth. Ensuring better facilities in the airports, he believed will go a long way in achieving that goal.