MoCA grants site clearance for development of New Pune (Purandar) international greenfield airport project

The MoCA granted site clearance for the development of the New Pune (Purandar) international greenfield airport project on May 8, 2018. The clearance was given based on the recommendations made by the steering committee. With this, Maharashtra Airport Development Company [MADC] Limited, the nodal agency for the project, can now proceed with the preparation of the techno-economic feasibility report and the detailed project report (DPR). The DPR is likely to be completed by August 2018, after which the steering committee will review it and give its in-principle approval. In the meantime, the Pune district administration will decide on the mode of land acquisition. The actual construction work on the project will start only by early 2019. As per the proposal, the project entails an investment of about Rs 120 billion-Rs 150 billion. The project will be spread over an area of 2,400 hectares. It will be developed in a phased manner and work on Phase I is expected to be completed within five years (by 2024-25). Once completed, it will reduce the burden on the defence airport at Lohegaon and will provide better connectivity to the state. The scope of work comprises two airstrips, each having length of 4 km, and a cargo facility, among other works. Meanwhile, AAI has formulated a Rs 6 billion plan for the expansion of the existing Pune airport and work on the same is currently under way.