Lok Sabha Question No. 2421 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-16
Subject: Capacity Constraints at Airports
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE, Shrirang Appa Barne, VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL

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## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2421 (To be answered on the March 2017) 16th

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

## CAPACITY CONSTRAINTS AT AIRPORTS

.

2421.

DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there is 'capacity constraints' in the existing airports with air traffic growing by over 20 per cent; if $0, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government is implementing regional air-connectivity scheme, UDAN to provide connectivity to all of India's major cities, if the details thereof and the number of operational airports in the country and the extent to which it would increase by implementing the UDAN scheme; SOs
- 0) whether the Goverament proposes to build new airports, adding new terminals and improving the efficiency 0f existing terminals, if the details thereof; SO,
- (d) whether the Government has significantly stepped up investments in airports, if SO, the details thereof; airport-wise; and
- (e) whether disruption in mass transport is on the cards with companies such as Hyperloop proposing new-age rapid-transit options and such proposals might lead to disruptions in regional air-connectivity schemes and if s0, the response of the Government thereon?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Jayant Sinha)

(a): Madam: The present infrastructure capacity at Indian airports is sufficient to meet the traffic demand; However, the capacity 0f some of the airports is nearing saturation: At present 25 operational airports has almost reached saturation or nearing saturation point and the respective airport operators have already taken steps to enhance the capacity to commensurate with the traffic demand No,

- (b): Government %f India (Gol) has granted "in principle" approval for setting up of the 18 Greenfield airports, namely, in Goa; Navi Mumbai; Shirdi and Karnataka-Kannur i% Kerala; Durgapur in West Bengal; Dabra in Madhya Pradesh, Pakyong in Sikkim, Karaikal in Puducherry; Kushinagar in Uttar Mopa

Pradesh; Dholera in Gujarat and Dagadarthi Mendal, Nellore Dist, Bhogapuram Andhra Pradesh\_

Constructing new Terminal Building or improving the efficiency of existing Terminals is a continuous process and is undertaken by Airports Authority 0 India (AAI) from time to time depending on the traffic demand, operational requirements, availability of land etc

Further, Gol has granted 'site clearance" approval for setting up of 5 Greenfield Jamshedpur in Jharkhand; Alwar in Rajasthan and Kothagudem in Telangana The airport projects at Andal, Durgapur, West Bengal and Kannur in Kerala have been completed: Operations at Durgapur airport have commenced on I8th 2015 and the trial ianding of Kannur airport has also been completed. May,

(c): The primary objective of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)-UDAN is to facilitate / stimulate regional air connectivity by making it affordable. The Government has approved the\_proposal for revival of 50 un-served/ under-served airportslairstrips 0f the State Governments, Airports Authority of India and Civil enclaves at an estimated cost of Rs.4500 crore; in three financial years starting from 2017-18. However, the revival of airstripslairports is "demand driven depending upon firm commitment from airline operators as well as from the State Government for providing various concessions:

Presently; there are 77 operational airports in the country: AAI, the implementing agency of Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) -UDAN has received 43 initiai proposals from 11 bidders covering 92 airports (30 currently served airports, 12 currently under served airports and 50 currently un-served airports).

- (d) Based on traffic\_growth at the existing airports, AAI has prepared a plan for investment of Rs.17500 Crore for capacity enhancement at various airports in the country by upgradation of infrastructure at operational airports, revival of nonoperational airports strengthening of Air Navigation Services (ANS) infrastructure; installation of solar power plants, etc Airport-wise details have not been finalised at this stage.
- (e): The Regional Air Connectivity is planned to connect remote areas to major cities whereas the rapid transport system aims to connect major cities. Hence these will be complementary to each other:

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