"Gujarat Set to Expand Air Connectivity with the Establishment of 11 New Airports"

In a major move to bolster the civil aviation infrastructure in Gujarat, the State government announced recently that it has formally entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The partnership aims to facilitate the development of 11 new greenfield airports and the expansion of nine existing ones across the state.

Hareet Shukla, Secretary of Civil Aviation, revealed the ambitious plans, stating, "We are going very aggressive with regard to the civil aviation network. We have told AAI that we are ready to acquire land and provide it free of cost for these projects. Though an estimate for these projects has not been drawn, each airport is likely to cost ₹1,500-3,000 crore."

The identified locations for the greenfield airports include Ankleshwar, Morbi, Rajpipla, Botad, Dwarka, Dhordo, Rajula, Dahod, Ambaji, Dholavira, and Palitana, as outlined in an official statement from the State government. Shukla explained, "Both the State government and AAI will conduct a technical feasibility study and will also examine the availability of land needed for these projects."

Responding to inquiries about a focus on regional connectivity, the government official emphasized, "We are not only looking to connect some of the cities but also tourist spots like Dhordo and Dholavira and some pilgrimage centres like Dwarka, Ambaji, and Palitana. These projects have long gestation, and so we need to start now."

Under the agreement with AAI, the Gujarat government will provide the necessary land and other utility services like electricity and water required for the airports. Additionally, the government expressed its intention to explore the possibility of establishing three additional greenfield airports at Vadnagar, Siddhpur, and Kevadia.

Beyond the greenfield airport development, the state government is also eyeing the brownfield expansion of nine airports. Plans include expanding existing airports at Surat, Vadodara, Kandla, Porbandar, Bhavnagar, and Keshod, along with the expansion of airstrips at Mehsana, Amreli, and Mandvi airports.

Gujarat currently boasts 11 functional airports, including major hubs such as Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Kandla, Bhuj, Porbandar, Keshod, and Mundra. Additionally, the Gujarat government and AAI are jointly working on the development of an international airport at Dholera. The state also features two sea-plane terminals at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad and another at Kevadia.

HBL