Thursday, June 8 2006 12:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: The Government today (June 8, 2006 ) said the development of Kolkata and Chennai airports would be taken up on a priority basis after due consultations, besides modernisation of 35 non-metro airports at a cost of Rs 7,000-8,000 crore.

Talking to reporters after the meeting of the Committee on Infrastructure chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the 35 non-metro airports, including two greenfield airports at Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, would be developed by AAI. Public-private partnership route would be preferred for non-aeronautical exercises.

Patel said Singh had laid a special emphasis ondevelopment of North-East airports and also the Greenfield airports at Sikkim and Arunchal Pradesh.

He said the construction work is likely to begin next year and be completed by 2008-09. The partner for the PPP would be decided after due bidding process.

Patel said the Planning Commission has also evinced keen interest on the development of non-metro airports.

The Minister said the Commission and Finance Ministry have accorded in-principle approval, allowing AAI to go for market borrowing as and when required.

Replying to a query, Patel said final touches were being given to the Civil Aviation Policy and it would be presented to the Cabinet for its approval soon.