The State Government has announced its intention to take 10 per cent equity in the private sector Aranmula airport project in Pathanamthitta district.
But it is premature for the Government to make a commitment in this manner, a top source in the Government told Business Line .
NOD AWAITED
This is because the airport project has not yet been granted ‘in-principle’ approval by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation.
This approval is issued after a greenfield airport project obtains defence and environmental clearances.
The only peer airport project which has received this ‘in-principle’ approval in the State is the Kannur International Airport, the source said.
A statement by Union Minister for Civil Aviation Ajit Singh in Parliament on August 21, 2012, too suggested that this was indeed the case.
He listed the following as having received the ‘in-principle’ approval: Mopa in Goa; Navi Mumbai, Shirdi and Sindhudurg in Maharashtra; Shimoga, Gulbarga, Hassan and Bijapur in Karnataka; Kannur in Kerala; Durgapur in West Bengal; Datia/Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh; Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh; Karaikal in Puducherry and Pakyong in Sikkim.
COMPANY CLAIM
P.T. Nandakumar, Executive Director, KGS Aranmula International Airport Ltd, told Business Line the project has already received ‘all required clearances.’
He said the steering group under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, had issued the final clearance as far back as October 28, 2011.
“As far as we are concerned, there is no single outstanding clearance/approval pending,” he said.
The Centre pronounced a policy for greenfield airports in April, 2008. The objective was to ensure timely grant of all approvals and clearances.
The promoter seeking to develop the airport has to submit the proposal to the government for consideration by the steering committee.
STATE FACILITATION
Applications are considered by the steering committee/competent authority for grant of ‘in principle’ approval. But this comes after they have completed all necessary formalities of obtaining pre-feasibility study report, site clearance and clearances from regulatory agencies.
The State Government may give incentives to an airport company such as land, concessional or otherwise and real estate development rights.
It may also grant means of connectivity; rail, road; fiscal incentives by way of exemptions from State taxes; and any such it may deem fit.
The steering committee coordinates and monitors various clearances required for setting up a greenfield airport.