Under the leadership of Chief
Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, the state government has taken a
decisive initiative to enhance tourism, regional connectivity, trade and
commerce, and job creation through the development of the aviation
sector and aviation infrastructure.
To formalize this commitment, a Memorandum of Understanding
(MoU) was signed in Gandhinagar between the Civil Aviation
Department of the State Government and the Airport Authority of
India, with Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel in attendance.
In line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the
Government of Gujarat is committed to providing essential services
such as land, electricity, water, and fire security necessary for airport
development to the Airport Authority of India.
The Airport Authority of India will take on the responsibility of
developing and expanding both greenfield and brownfield airports in
the state, covering the associated costs. Additionally, the Airport
Authority of India will handle airport operations, maintenance, master
planning, and design.
To oversee these operations and other aspects outlined in the MoU, a
10-member state-level coordination committee will be established,
with the Chairman being the representative from the Airport Authority
of India.
The committee will comprise officials from the Airport Authority of
India and relevant state government departments, including the Civil
Aviation Secretary, Revenue Secretary, Civil Aviation Director, and
GUJSAIL CEO of the Government of Gujarat.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was executed by the CEO
of GUJSAIL on behalf of the Government of Gujarat and the Executive
Director on behalf of the Airport Authority of India. This significant
event took place in the presence of the Minister of Civil Aviation and
Industries, Shri Balwantsinh Rajput, and the Minister of State for
Industries, Shri Harsh Sanghvi.
The 11 locations earmarked for the development of proposed
greenfield airports in the state encompass Ankleshwar, Morbi, Rajpipla,
Botad, Dwarka, Dhordo, Rajula, Dahod, Ambaji, Dholavira, and Palitana.
The State Governments and the Airport Authority of India will proceed
as needed to advance airport development, considering the technical
feasibility and land availability prospects at these locations.
Additionally, existing airports requiring expansion include those
managed by the Airport Authority of India at Bhavnagar, Kandla,
Porbandar, Surat, Vadodara, and Keshod.
The necessity for the enlargement of state government airstrips in
Mehsana, Amreli, and Mandvi has also been affirmed. Moreover, the
State Government and Airport Authority of India will explore potential
opportunities for establishing greenfield airports at Vadnagar,
Siddhpur, and Kevadia, considering techno-economic feasibility and
land availability.
During the significant MoU signing ceremony, Chief Secretary Shri Raj
Kumar, Chief Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Shri K.
Kailashanathan, Additional Chief Secretary of the Industries
Department Shri S. J. Haider, along with Tourism and Civil Aviation
Secretary Shri Harit Shukla and other officials were in attendance.
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