The Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has directed officers to complete various formalities for construction of Greenfield Airport at Nagchala in Mandi district and expansion of Kangra and Shimla Airports.
Presiding over a meeting regarding development and expansion of Airports in the State Thakur said the land measuring 2936 bighas has been identified for construction of the Greenfield Airport in Mandi district for which site clearance was obtained in January, 2020.
He said during a meeting with the Ministry of Civil Aviation in November 2019, it was decided the Airport Authority of India (AAI) should go ahead with constructing 2100 meters long runway in phase-I.
“However, the state government would acquire land for proposed runway of 3150 meters for phase-II and additional land would be kept as buffer zone”, he added. He said channelization of Suketi khad would have to be under taken for building the airstrip.
He said the State Government has signed a MoU for development and operation of the Greenfield Airport Project by forming a joint venture company on January 15, 2020.
Chief Minister said, “As per estimates an expenditure of Rs. 7448 crore would be incurred on this ambitious project on land acquisition for terminal, runways and allied activities; Rs 2786 crore on land acquisition, Rs. 2965 crore on developmental activities, Rs. 900 crore for terminal construction and allied infrastructure, Rs. 782 crore on structures and Rs. 15 crore on compensatory levies for FCA, would be spent.”
Thakur said, “As much as 1780 bigha land has been identified for development and expansion of Kangra Airport for operating bigger planes like A-320 aircraft and cost of acquisition of land and allied activates would be Rs. 3347.18 crore”. He said the proposed airstrip would require channelization of Manjhi khad along with construction of new approach road to airport.
Chief Minister said Union Civil Aviation Minister in November 2019 had agreed to provide funds for expansion of Shimla Airport runway by 300 meters for which 182 bigha lands has been identified.
Thakur said, “The construction of the Greenfield Airport in Mandi and expansion of Kanga and Shimla airports would give a boost to tourism in the state, besides generating employment.”