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Putting Kota on aviation map: Cabinet approves Rs 1,507-crore greenfield airport at Rajasthan’s Kota-Bundi; to be ready in 2 years

Kota currently has a small airport, which can handle very small aircraft and only a handful of passengers, rendering it unusable for regular commercial operations by airlines.

With the capability to handle operations of A321-sized jets, the airport will be ready for domestic flights of all durations, and even short-haul international flights. (Source: File)

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on Tuesday approved the development of a greenfield airport at Kota-Bundi in Rajasthan at an estimated project cost of Rs 1,507 crore. The proposed airport, which is expected to be completed in around two years and will have the capacity to handle up to 2 million passengers annually, will primarily serve Kota—Rajasthan’s prominent educational and industrial city.

Kota currently has a small airport, which can handle very small aircraft and only a handful of passengers, rendering it unusable for regular commercial operations by airlines. The nearest major airport to Kota currently is the Jaipur airport, located at a distance of about 250 km.

“The existing (Kota) airport cannot be developed for commercial operations due to inadequate land availability and urbanization around the airport,” the government said in a release after Tuesday’s CCEA meeting.

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The new Kota-Bundi airport will be a bit outside Kota, and will be developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on a large land parcel provided free of cost by the Rajasthan government. The project will be funded through the internal accruals of the AAI.

“The Government of Rajasthan has transferred 440.06 hectares of land to AAI for development of a Greenfield Airport, suitable for operation of (Airbus) A-321 type aircraft. The project includes construction of a Terminal Building spanning an area of 20,000 sqm capable of handling 1,000 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP) with annual capacity of 2 Million Passengers Per Annum (MPPA), Runway 11/29 of dimensions 3200m x 45m, Apron with 07 parking bays for A-321 type aircraft, two Link Taxiways, ATC (air traffic control) cum Technical Block, Fire Station, car park and allied works,” the government said.

With the capability to handle operations of A321-sized jets, the airport will be ready for domestic flights of all durations, and even short-haul international flights. Kota’s prominence in educational and industrial sectors makes the greenfield airport a critical infrastructure project, aimed at addressing the anticipated traffic growth in the region, the government said.

Kota falls on the key road route linking Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Delhi, and its growth as a major educational and industrial hub is being seen as an indicator of demand for air connectivity with regular commercial flight operations. The government, which has been making efforts to increase penetration of air travel in underserved or under-served areas, expects the new Kota airport to improve regional air connectivity and promote the local economy.

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Amid the government’s push for regional air connectivity, the number of airports in India have more than doubled to 162 from 74 over the past 11 years. The country is already the world’s third-largest domestic aviation market, and also the fastest-growing major aviation market, with the number of flyers increasing 41.2 crore this year from 16.8 crore in 2014.

Sukalp Sharma

Sukalp Sharma is a Senior Assistant Editor with The Indian Express and writes on a host of subjects and sectors, notably energy and aviation. He has over 13 years of experience in journalism with a body of work spanning areas like politics, development, equity markets, corporates, trade, and economic policy. He considers himself an above-average photographer, which goes well with his love for travel. ... Read More