Rajasthan likely to get 2 new airports

The union minister also inaugurated the countrys second spice park in Jodhpur on Saturday.

With a push from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,Rajasthan may soon see two new airports in Neemrana and Jodhpur while the international airport in Jaipur may be upgraded.

Saying that Union Commerce and Industries Minister Anand Sharma had pledged his full support,Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said the airports would help boost exports from Rajasthan.

According to the state bureau for investment promotion,the Neemrana and Jodhpur airports would serve two national investment and manufacturing zone (NIMZ) projects already notified by the union cabinet. The approval for the Neemrana airport has been given,but Anand Sharma has promised to expedite its realisation, Gehlot said.

The two NIMZ projects include the Khushkhera-Bhiwadi zone and the Jodhpur-Pali zone. While the former has already been approved,the latter is to be developed in the near future.

The Government of India will fund the cost of infrastructure of Rs 2,500 crore for five years for the Khuskhera-Bhiwadi Zone, said Sharma,a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan.

Sharma and Gehlot held several meetings on Friday and Saturday to discuss among other industrial projects,the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC). The union minister also inaugurated the countrys second spice park in Jodhpur on Saturday.