Construction activities for modernising and expanding the Kolkata and Chennai airports by the Airports Authority of India will begin by the end of next month, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said on Thursday.
"Physical construction (at these two airports) should begin by the end of September," he said after inaugurating the country's longest runway at the IGI Airport in New Delhi.
Patel said the acquisition of land for Chennai airport's expansion was a state subject. "If the State Government wants (to expedite the project), they will have to acquire the land soon and give it to us."
Replying a question on the government's recent decision to allow charging of user development fees by the private operator of the new Hyderabad airport, Patel said "We are considering the same for the new airport at Bangalore. We will examine all parameters before we take a decision."
He said Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Chawla recently visited Bangalore to study various aspects of the issue.
Asked about airport charges proposed to be imposed by Delhi International Airport Limited and Mumbai International Airport Limited, the minister said the issue was before the ministry. "Based on certain parameters, a judicious decision will be taken."
Earlier, an Air India Boeing 777-300ER (extended range) aircraft became the first to land at the new 4,430-metre runway. The aircraft was welcomed by a water salute (a spray of water from both sides) while taxiing to a temporary bay.
