The Government of India on April 24 has approved Greenfield airports policy paving the way of expanding the aviation expedition infrastructure in the country. Now, for establishing a Greenfield airport in any part of the country will require mandatory approval of Central government.
Government would set up a steering committee that would synchronize and observe the clearances needed from various agencies including Ministry of civil aviation, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, Airports Authority of India, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and Meteorological department for setting up an airport.
The Secretary of Civil Aviation would be the chairman of this committee.
According to Greenfield airport policy, “No two airport can be set up within 150km of aerial range” and “to set up another airport nearby the existing airport within the 150 km range in exceptional condition seeking for relaxation or redemption in any rule would need initial clarification from steering committee that would forward its recommendation to the Civil Aviation Ministry, which table this recommendation before the Union Cabinet.”
But before granting the recommendation, steering committee would consider all significant facts and conditions including contractual liabilities (if any) and legal approval from the concerned department. The final licence would be granted by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for operating the airport as per existing Rules and Notifications, but after final approval of central cabinet.
The granting of permission and licence will depend on case-to-case basis, as per information and Broadcasting Ministry informed.
On the other hand, if, Airport Authority of India (AAI) or an Airport Company is planning to set up any Greenfield airport beyond 150 km range need not require any prior approval of the Central Government. The DGCA would grant the licence for it.
The Cabinet has also approved guidelines for construction of airports, airstrips and helipads for private use. ‘This decision would ease the burden from other operational airports, as per I&B Ministry said because the procedure for construction of private airports, airstrips and helipads will be liberal.
As per approved policy, ‘airports’ for cargo or non-scheduled flights or for heliports need not mandatory to submitted application for approval and would be able to get the license from DGCA after going through all legal and technical procedure.
More over, only relevant Central agencies would commence all the necessary operations performed at the airport like traffic services, security, customs, immigration etc. These agencies would notify their respective guidelines.
“These services would be provided on a cost recovery basis for which an MOU would be sent to both, an airport company and the performing agencies”.
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