AAI seeks to revive non-operational airstrips

New Delhi: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will revive 28 out of the 40 non-operational airstrips in India for non-scheduled operations. According to the AAI, it will also look for private participation in the proposed upgrade.

''We have a definite plan of reviving the unused airstrip. To begin with, we will put up a temporary structure and further investments will be made depending on the need and commercial viability,'' said AAI chairman, VP Aggarwal, on the side-lines of an airport conference.

Airstrips scheduled to be taken over for the upgrade companies are located in Rajasthan, Orissa, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and north-east states.

AAI is upgrading 35 non-metro airports at an estimated investment of Rs12,434 crore and is looking at various ways to raise money. The authority had not received permission from the finance ministry to raise Rs5,000 crore through tax-free bonds.

Aggarwal said the AAI had spent Rs3,534 crore in the 10th Plan period and Rs12,964 crore during the 11th Plan period. For the proposed 12th Plan period it wishes to increase the expenditure.

''We have proposed to increase our investments during the 12th plan period to Rs15,000 crore,'' said Aggarwal.