Expressing concern over little progress in the proposed Chakan International Airport project,Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Monday said the government was ready to welcome private players to get the airport off the block. I am saddened that the proposal is yet to get a push. The project is very much on paper but has failed to go beyond it. The project is active but not kicking, he said,speaking to reporters after launching an educational programme at Lavasa near Pune. That is why I feel that if the state government is taking a long time,private players can come forward and the airport can still come up.If there is any such proposal from a third party,the government would certainly encourage it and consider it objectively,he said. Patel said,Being from Maharashtra,I would like to see more aviation activity in the state. Whatever we do,we must have good air connectivity. Road and rail connectivity has to be there but considering future growth,proper air connectivity is a must. Whether it is done by the government or private player is insignificant. He said the government had come up with a greenfield airport policy and they are encouraging private bidders to set up airports. In the case of Chakan,if there are any private players showing interest,we will definitely consider their proposal objectively, he said. Patels remarks come in the wake of Pune MP and Airport Advisory Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadis comment last week that it would take another decade for Chakan airport to come up and therefore it was better to focus on the existing Pune airport at Lohegaon. Patel said he was not aware of Kalmadis comment. I do not know what the local MP has said but instead of thinking of local connectivity,having it for the whole region is actually important, said the minister. When asked whether four international airports,the existing ones in Mumbai and Pune and the proposed ones at Chakan and Navi Mumbai,would be more than necessary for Mumbai and Pune,Patel said,Considering future projections,not four,but even six airports would be inadequate. Ideally,every city should be connected. More airports coming up At present,India is the ninth largest aviation hub in the world and we are likely to climb to the fifth position soon. There are proposals to set up greenfield airports at a number of places including Durgapur,Ludhiana,Goa and one in the Konkan region of Maharashtra at Sawantwadi,apart from many other cities, Patel said.
