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Airports Authority Of India (AAI) Ready To Pump Rs 50 cr Into Behala Airport Project

By pardeep3dec, Section Development
Posted on Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 02:04:44 AM EST

Airports Authority of India (AAI) is willing to invest Rs 50 crore in upgrading Behala airport so that it can accommodate commercial flights. But that will happen only if the state government provides the additional 30 acre required to extend the runway. At present, the airport is spread across 210 acre.

"The ministry plans to bring scheduled commercial flights to Behala. That will give Kolkata its second airport. We just require some additional land to extend the runway from 3,500 feet to 4,500 feet for mid-sized aircraft like ATR to operate," civil aviation minister Praful Patel said after announcing the first phase revamp of Behala airport and flagging off Camellia flying training institute.

Chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, who was present on the occasion, promised all cooperation from the government and asked local MPs Sujan Chakraborty and Samik Lahiri to look into the land issue. Lahiri later said acquisition of additional land would not pose a problem as the airport has enjoyed widespread support from all quarters, including opposition parties.

AAI urged the government to chalk out a fresh approach road to the airport as the present one is narrow and passes through congested localities of Behala. "If scheduled commercial flights operate from the airport, we need a broader access road," AAI joint secretary Arun Mishra said later.

The first phase of airport development comprises strengthening of dirt runway with asphalt, installing runway lighting system and constructing a boundary wall. The project cost is Rs 10 crore. If the state government helps with runway extension and the access road, AAI will pump in an additional Rs 40 crore for runway extension and improvement, passenger terminal and other allied facilities.

"Operations to Behala will be viable as no landing, parking or navigation charges are levied on aircraft with less than 80 seats. Fuel is also cheaper for small planes. Regional flights with small aircraft will be able to use Behala, thereby reducing congestion at NSCBI Airport," Patel said.

Behala airport will also play a vital role in pilot training. Camellia group has started flying training with five Cessna aircraft. By the year-end, the company will have 10 planes in place. Flying training was last held here two decades ago.

Source:The Times Of India,24-09-07

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