Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia has written to Chief Ministers of Telangana and Meghalaya, requesting their personal intervention in expediting various matters for strengthening aviation infrastructure in these States. While writing to Telangana CM K. Chandrashekar Rao, Scindia has drawn his attention towards the issue of extension of period of Concession Agreement for Hyderabad International Airport Limited (HIAL).
The Minister mentioned that a Concession Agreement (CA) dated December 20, 2004 has been executed between Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India and HIAL for development, construction, operation and maintenance of Hyderabad International Airport. In terms of clause 13.7.1 of CA, M/S HIAL has requested for extension of its concession period for another 30 years beyond the initial 30 years, i.e beyond March 23, 2038 and till 23.03.2068. The State Government has been requested to re-examine the request of HIAL for extension of the period of Concession Agreement and furnish its recommendations to the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Scindia also underscored the issue of operationalization of Warangal Airport and its inclusion under Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). He mentioned that Warangal Airport is within 150 km aerial distance of HIAL and can be developed with mutually agreeable solution, to be explored by State Government of Telangana with HIAL and Airports Authority of India (AAI).
Similarly, Scindia has requested for personal intervention of Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma, in expeditious operationalization of Tura Airport. He mentioned that Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched RCS – UDAN to enhance regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports in the country by making air travel affordable to the masses. Tura airport figures in the tentative list of unserved airports. Bids for Helicopter operations have been received for two RCS routes i.e., Shillong to Tura vv and Guwahati to Tura vv in special round of bidding 4.1 and the same is likely to be finalised soon as per the provisions of Scheme document.