Newstrack

Noida to get a new alternate airport

Anupama Sushil - New Delhi

The government has given the nod for the alternate airport to the existing Delhi airport. The airport, proposed to come up at Greater Noida near Delhi, will be built through a bidding process where 74 per cent of the stake will be held by the private party (bidder) with the Uttar Pradesh government and Airports Authority of India holding 13 per cent stake each.

The proposed site for the project is 72 km from Delhi and 120 km from Agra and approximately 1,500 hectares in area. Taj Expressway Authority will sponsor the proposed site for the airport to be known as the Taj International Aviation Hub. The airport will attract a lot of non-aviation activities like hotels and malls thereby opening huge opportunities for real estate investors. The India Expo Centre located at Greater Noida will also increase the possibilities for exports.

Such developments will also call for an extension of the metro link to the airport facilitating transportation. If the entire process of approvals and other feasibilities are met on time, there might be a possibility of the airport being operational in time for the Commonwealth Games.