India’s Greenfield Airports Policy

India’s Greenfield Airports Policy:

India’s Greenfield Airports Policy, formulated in 2008, provides a comprehensive framework for the construction of new airports across the country. The policy outlines the guidelines, procedures, and steps that must be followed by airport developers or state governments interested in establishing Greenfield airports.

Under this policy, the project proponent must submit a proposal to the Ministry of Civil Aviation in a prescribed format, which goes through a two-stage approval process:

Site Clearance: Initial approval of the proposed site for the airport.

In-Principle Approval: Final approval for the project to proceed to construction.

For instance, under the Greenfield Airports Policy, the Government of India has accorded ‘In-Principle’ approval for setting up 21 Greenfield airports. Some examples include: Mopa in Goa, Navi Mumbai, Shirdi and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra, Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Hassan and Shivamogga in Karnataka, Dabra (Gwalior) in Madhya Pradesh, Kushinagar and Noida (Jewar) in Uttar Pradesh, Dholera and Hirasar in Gujarat, Karaikal in Puducherry, Dagadarthi, Bhogapuram and Orvakal (Kurnool) in Andhra Pradesh, Durgapur in West Bengal, Pakyong in Sikkim, Kannur in Kerala and Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh across the country.

Out of these approved airports, 11 have been operationalized, such as:Durgapur, Shirdi, Kannur, Pakyong, Kalaburagi, Orvakal (Kurnool), Sindhudurg, Kushinagar, Itanagar, Mopa and Shivamogga have been operationalised.

Additionally, the government has granted the first stage clearance, i.e., site clearance, for the construction of three Greenfield airports in Alwar (Rajasthan), Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh), and Mandi (Himachal Pradesh).

The responsibility for implementing these airport projects, including securing funding, lies with the concerned airport developer or the respective state government if it is the project proponent.

Sources: pib