THE Indian government is mulling a second international airport in Delhi-NCR, through the amendment of an existing clause within India’s airport infrastructure policy which disallows airports to be built within 150km radius of one another.
The plan was revealed to the press on Wednesday by Mahesh Sharma who took over as the new minister of state for Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation.
“The new airport at Jewar is in the wider interest of the country. Considering the industrial growth in Noida and Greater Noida belt, there is a need to develop infrastructure, like a new airport.
“We will discuss the proposal within the civil aviation ministry and with prime minister Narendra Modi before moving ahead with it,” said Sharma.
The proposal to have a greenfield Taj International Airport and Aviation Hub at Jewar was first mooted in 2001 by the state government of Uttar Pradesh, and land spanning 35 villages was acquired in 2003 for the purpose.
However, the state government had scrapped the project, citing the restrictive airport infrastructure clause.
“If needed more land can be acquired for the project. Delhi-NCR’s population is projected to increase to 2.4 million by 2030 from the current 1.6 million.
“Considering the growth of air traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport, a new airport near the Indian capital is needed,” Sharma added.
A decision is expected to be made by year-end.
