The outcome of the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh could decide the fate of the proposal for an international airport in Meerut.
Sources indicated that if Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) is to play a role in Government formation in the State, then Meerut could easily score over Zevar, considered as a possible site for a second airport to Delhi. The RLD President, Mr Ajit Singh is currently the Minister for Civil Aviation. His party, the Rashtriya Lok Dal, derives its power base largely from Western UP.
There are many factors which seem to be working in favour of Meerut, including the fact that the city does not breach the existing law which prohibits a second airport to come up 150 km away from an existing airport. While Zevar breaches the existing law, a specific exemption from the Union Cabinet would be required for an airport there. But no such problem exists in the case of Meerut.
A few years ago, the Mayawati-led State government sent a proposal to the Centre for an international airport at Zevar near Greater Noida. The Centre set up a high powered committee to look into the proposal but nothing has emerged on it yet. While no official discussions on the proposal has taken place yet, sources indicated that there have been some initial talks on whether the airport project will be possible in Meerut.
One of the issues which could possibly derail the project is the availability of large tracts of land. “An international airport project requires 6,000-7,000 acres of land. It remains to be seen whether such a huge area will be available. If the project gets the nod then the process of finding land can also begin so that a final decision can be taken on the viability of the project,” sources said.
Meanwhile, a senior Government official added that the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), promoted by GMR group will have as usual the ‘First Right of Refusal' for the project whether it is built at Zevar or in Meerut. Secondly, if the project is built on the model of Public Private Partnership, the Airport Authority of India will be the partner in that. Goa and Mumbai have already been awarded a second airport while a formal announcement is expected about Chennai soon. With this, Delhi could become the fourth city to have a second airport.