“At present, the Kolkata airport modernisation proposal is with the Public Investment Board. Hopefully, we can have the final clearance by March and work might be begin from April,” said Patel. There will be a formal announcement regarding this at a later date, he added.

Patel was attending the Technical Services Agreement (TSA) signing ceremony between Singapore-based Changi Airports International and Bengal Aerotropolis Pvt Ltd (BAPL) for the Greenfield airport at Andal, between Asansol and Durgapur.

He said the infrastructure committee formed at the Centre under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had formulated guidelines for the easy felicitation of the creation of aviation-related infrastructure through private participation.

“The new policy would be notified soon. At present, it is awaiting the approval of the Union Cabinet. Issues such as licensing and getting other necessary clearances by companies would be made easier,” said Patel.

Under the new policy, a steering committee under the civil aviation ministry will be formed, which will be represented by all ministries concerned. This will result in the creation of a single-window system for getting the necessary permissions, said Patel. Any company that meets the norms of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will be able to apply for engaging themselves in the construction, modernisation and operations at Indian airports.

“At present, there are 82 airports that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) operates. There are 45 others, which are non-operational. We would like to revive these closed airports with the help of the public sector,” he added. Patel said his ministry will draw up a list of the closed airports. The country must have at least 400 to 500 airports to sustain the economic progress of the country, he added.