Maya to hand over airstrips to private entities

Due to their sporadic use, the infrastructure at most airstrips had deteriorated over the years — again barring the one in Saifai. “Instead of the Government spending huge sums on the maintenance of these airstrips, it is better that they are used and maintained by the private sector and the Government earn some revenue,” explained a senior Government officer.

The Government will initially earn Rs 36 lakh per year from as the private investors are supposed to pay Rs 3 lakh per year for the initial five years. After five years their contract will be renewed with a 50 per cent hike in annual charges.

As per the expression of interest prepared by the Directorate of Civil Aviation, the state Government will provide the private investors with an airstrip, hangars, terminal buildings and allow them to construct further facilities required for setting up of institutes. Signing a deal on a 30-year lease term, the companies will have to make their institutes functional in three month’s time from the signing of their agreement. However, for making their institutes functional the private investors would be required to get clearances, permissions, licences, from respective regulatory bodies including the Director General of Civil Aviation.