In a signification decision, the Committee on Infrastructure headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday gave an in-principle approval to the modernisation of Chennai and Kolkata airports.At its sixth meeting held on Monday, it was decided that the civil aviation ministry would work on the two modernisation proposals and would forward them to the committee on infrastructure.Sources said the modernisation plans for these two airports would be on the same lines of the Delhi and Mumbai airports.Sources said while the civil aviation ministry was initially keen to first take on the modernisation plans for Delhi and Mumbai airports before attempting other airports.However, today’s in-principle approval came after Telecom Minister Dayanidhi Maran wanted the Chennai airport to be included in the revamp plan.The committee on Monday reviewed progress in all infrastructure areas including roads, ports, airports as well as railways.Apart from the Prime Minister, the meeting was attended by finance minister P. Chidambaram, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Surface Transport Minister T.R. Baalu, Power Minister P.M. Sayeed as well as Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel. Rail Minister Laloo Prasad Yadav however did not attend the meeting, sources said. Under the modernisation plans for the Delhi and Mumbai airports, a certain portion of the land adjoining the current airports would be allowed for commercial use as long these activities are directly linked to the passenger traffic.In addition to this, the finance ministry would also be extending a counter-guarantee to the outstanding debt raised by the promoters for the airport’s modernisation.
