The Maharashtra Government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for developing 10 airports across the State under the Centre’s Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS). Signed in the presence of Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, the MoU aims at developing regional connectivity through fiscal support and infrastructure development from the Centre. The RCS is part of ambitious National Civil Aviation Policy 2016.
The 10 airports will be developed at Kolhapur, Shirdi, Amravati, Gondia, Nashik, Jalgaon, Nanded, Solapur, Ratnagiri and Sindhudurg.
Under the MoU, the Maharashtra government will contribute 20 per cent cost of Viability Gap Funding (VGF), while the Centre will bear the remaining 80 per cent cost. As per the MoU, the state government will provide for the proposed airports free of cost. “The proposed airports will be will be provided with roads, rail, metro and waterway connectivity. The State Government will also provide electricity, water and necessary facilities at concessional rates,” an official spokesperson said.