As parts of efforts to improve air connectivity in the Northeast, the government is upgrading 10 airports in the region at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million).
The North Eastern Council has entered into an MoU with the Airports Authority of India for funding of 10 airports in the ratio of 60:40, the government said in a report tabled in Parliament.
Works on seven airports has since been completed and is continuing in three other airports. An amount of Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million) has been earmarked for ongoing upgradation works of airports in the region in the annual plan during 2007-08.
In addition to the upgradation of existing airports, upgradation of non-operational airports is also proposed to be undertaken during 11th Plan, the report said.
NEC has kept provision in its annual plan for supporting Detailed Project Report preparation and the AAI has been requested to prepared the DPRs for the upgradation of five non-operational airports at Kalashar and Kamlapur in Tripura, Pasighat and Tezu in Arunachal Pradesh and Tura in Meghalaya.
The Planning Commission has granted 'in principle' approval to the upgradation of airport at Pasighat and Tezu.
However, Planning Commission has directed that the project be implemented by the AAI and be funded through a mix of internal accruals of AAI and gross budgetary support in the ratio of 1:1. This has been conveyed to the ministry of civil aviation, the AAI and the NEC, the report said.
The annual plan 2007-08 of NEC has identified connectivity, including air, as one of the priority sectors for the northeast. Intra region air connectivity as well as connectivity with the rest of the country needs to be substentially augmented.
There are 12 operational airports in the northeastern region.