The much-awaited Parule Chipi International Airport in Sindhudurg area of Konkan in Maharashtra is expected to be operational by Ganeshotsav festival. The airport is being constructed by IRB Sindhudurg Airport Pvt. Ltd. on a design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) basis for the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC). Sindhudurg airport will have a 2500-meter runway which has provision for future development. The airport will be built at an approximate cost of 520 crores.
Sindhudurg airport will have the capacity to handle 200 departing and 200 passengers arriving during peak hours with expansion facilities to serve up to 400 departing and 400 arriving passengers without additional construction. Although the airport will be serving domestic travellers it will be equipped with facilities to serve International charter flights.
The upcoming Sindhudurg airport is in the vicinity of Tarkarli Beach. Tarkarli beach which also has a Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation resort is known for its pristine virgin beaches, corals, water sports and dolphin rides. The upcoming airport is expected to boost tourism in the region. But, Sindhudurg airport will face tough competition from India's second largest proposed airport in Mopa in North Goa.
Agreement for construction of the airport has already been signed between Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and IRB Sindhudurg airport Pvt. Ltd. in 2009. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has given in-principle approval and environmental clearance has also been granted by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
Construction of taxi way, apron and isolation bay has been completed and work on the airfield ground lighting in on. Construction of passenger terminal building, ATC tower and technical building is on in full swing. Construction of other ancillary buildings is in progress and will be completed on time.
An airport in Sindhudurg was necessary in order to provide better connectivity to the Konkan region of Maharashtra, parts of Goa, North Karnataka and Western Maharashtra. At present the state of Maharashtra has three functional international and 13 domestic airports. Sindhudurg may have direct connectivity to Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Delhi. The route was also added in Phase 2 of UDAN scheme.
- Chaitanya Kulkarni.
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