The Government plans to issue a letter of award to the successful bidder for Chennai airport’s modernisation by January 17, or within 30 days of opening of bids, which is on December 18.
Meanwhile, with the Government’s decision to go ahead with the modernisation of the Chennai and Lucknow airports, the employees of Airports Authority of India (AAI) are gearing up to strike work.
The Request for Qualification (RFQ) for the Chennai airport, which was issued late on Tuesday, estimates that further development works to be undertaken by the concessionaire are likely to cost about Rs 1,200 crore, an amount which the concessionaire is expected to invest before the third anniversary of the “Scheduled Completion Date”.
The assessment of actual costs, however, will have to be made by the bidders, the RFQ document says.
In the case of Lucknow airport, the indicative costs have been estimated at Rs 500 crore, keeping in view the investment to be made by the concessionaires on re-carpeting the runway, constructing three additional hangers, expansion of the terminal building and the construction of a boundary wall among other works.
Protest moves
Meanwhile, from September 9, AAI employees will wear black badges at airports around the country to protest the Government’s move.
They plan to intensify their stir by striking work if the Government continues with its plans of modernising these two airports, Balraj Singh Ahlawat, Joint Secretary, AAI Employees Union, told Business Line .
The Government has already indicated that it plans to modernise six airports, including those at Kolkata, Guwahati, Jaipur and Ahmedabad soon. The RFQ for these four airports are expected within the next few days.
ashwini.phadnis@thehindu.co.in