AAI puts non-metro airport development projects on fast track

After receiving the mini ratna status and restructuring its board, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has put the non-metro airport development projects on fast track. According to a report in today’s Financial Chronicle, the first project which will be put on fast track will be the proposed Rs 340 crore Goa Airport project. AAI has sent the proposal for cabinet approval. However, it will now withdraw the projects from the respective authorities as with the mini ratna status which was awarded in December 2008, it does not need a cabinet nod for the project. “The AAI board can now approve projects up to Rs 500 crore on its own. Therefore, we can withdraw the Goa project from the cabinet and go ahead on our own,” stated a senior AAI official.

AAI is also looking for fast approval of its proposed Green field Airport in Itanagar. The Rs 650-crore project in the North East region has already been sent for government nod. An AAI official informed that the project was getting delayed due to the lengthy clearance procedure. “The government approval takes a long time but with the mini ratna status, a number of projects which are of Rs 500 crore or