State shrugs off delay, kickstarts mega airport project

Incidentally, it is none other than former chief of Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation R C Sinha who is anchoring the show for Hyderabad airport project as Maharahstra could not encash on his services following political vested interests. In fact, the Hyderabad airport project is in advanced stages when compared to the Nagpur project as the techno-economic feasibility study has been completed and contractors to be selected soon, said sources.

The project to be developed by MSRDC has already shortlisted consultants for preparing the techno-economic feasibility report. Firms identified include all major players across the globe in partnership with Indian firms where the major names include Tata Consulting Engineers, L&T – Ramboll, UK-based Frishman Prabhu, Dorsche consultants of Germany etc.

Says R K Jha, executive director, MSRDC: "As per the conditions set for bidding, all the foreign firms have joined with Indian firms while bidding. We are planning to take up this project on a priority basis.

Moreover, the corporation has also served land acquisition notices to private parties as they require 1,800 hectares of land for this project adjoining to the existing airport at Nagpur. However, over 300 hectares of land has been given to the Ministry fo Defence by the State Government in the seventies and for which the department has not yet issued sanction. It is learnt that Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had personally met Union Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav in this regard in August, though no decision has been taken.

"In fact, we need the support of all agencies like Indian Airlines, Air India, Airport Authority of India etc for the support of the project. The meeting that took place had a positive note about this project and we are exepcting the final clearance from the ministry soon," added Jha.

The next step is to finalise the consultants and prepare the techno-economic feasibility report for which the deadline for receiving financial bids is October 30.

"We have also asked the district collector to go ahead with land acquisition proceedings and a local level committee will conduct public hearings for this project, " added Jha.

The corporation claims that Nagpur has a significant positioning in the international aviation route due to its unique centrality in the Indian subcontinent makes it a logical passenger and cargo hub on the air route between South East Asia and Middle East Asia/Europe.