Cabinet gives nod for new projects

New Delhi: Cabinet approved the setting up of Neyveli Lignite Corporation 1,000-MW thermal project.

The Union Cabinet today cleared the greenfield airports policy, which dispenses with the need for mandatory Cabinet approvals for setting up airports in the country.

The policy proposes that greenfield airport projects will be cleared by a steering committee set up by the civil aviation ministry instead of the Cabinet.

The Cabinet also approved another proposal of the civil aviation ministry for setting up airports, helipads and airstrips for private use.

On permission for building new airports within the 150-km radius of an existing facility, the Cabinet said such proposals would be taken up on a case-to-case basis.

It said the new airport?s impact on the existing one would be examined for taking a decision. No second airport is allowed within the 150-km radius of an existing airport under the present policy.

?Both our proposals have been entirely cleared. The point about the 150-km clause only holds true in cases like Hyderabad and Bangalore where we have contractual obligations,? said a senior civil aviation ministry official.

Applications for private airport projects would be decided by the civil aviation ministry/Directorate General of Civil Aviation based on security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs without putting them for the consideration of the Cabinet. Ten such proposals, including from the Sahara group and Vedanta Alumina, are pending.

?This approval will ensure efficiency in the companies? activities and decongest the existing airports, which have to handle private aircraft operations too,? said an industry expert.

Among other decisions, the Cabinet approved the setting up of Neyveli Lignite Corporation?s (NLC?s) 1,000-Mw coal-based thermal project at Tuticorin.