Bhopal: International flights will soon make it to Madhya Pradesh as the state government set in motion land aquisition process required for expanding airstrip at two airports - Raja Bhoj airport here and Indore's Devi Ahilyabai airport.

"The tenders for expanding airstrip to 9,000 meters have been invited and soon it will be finalised. This length of the airstrip is mandatory for starting international flight operations," Indore Airport director, R K Singh told reporters today.

Six apron bay, six parking bay and an isolation bay will also be constructed for the purpose, besides the expansion of the terminal building, Singh said adding, a total budget of Rs 70 crore has been sanctioned for this purpose.

Similar process was also set in motion for expanding the airstrip at Bhopal airport with the state government giving approval for aquisition of 387 acre land of which 98 acre has been handed over to the airport authorities.

"As soon as the entire land is handed over to us the job of expanding the airstrip to the international standards would be completed to enable services of international flights," Bhopal airport director J P Alex said. During a recent visit to both the airports, Airport Authority of India (AAI) Chiarman K Ramalingam also reviewed the preparations for upgrading the infrastructure.

Ramalingam also informed that a new surveillance radar system would be installed at the Bhopal airport soon, besides plans to set up a new integrated terminal building and a new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower are also in the pipeline, he said. At present the runway length of Bhopal and Indore airport is 6,700 and 7,500 meters respectively.

Source : PTI