Kothagudem, Mahbubnagar sites in Telangana found unviable for greenfield airports, Jakranpally technically feasible

HYDERABAD

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has provided a detailed update on the status of four proposed greenfield airports in Telangana, stating that pre-feasibility studies conducted at three of these four proposed sites have ruled out viability at two locations while one site has been found technically feasible with conditions attached.

The information was revealed in the Rajya Sabha by Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol, in response to a question asked by Telangana MP Vaddiraju Ravichandra on December 8. The minister said that the Telangana government had proposed pre-feasibility studies for airports at Anthergaon in Peddapalli, Kothagudem, Mahbubnagar, and Jakranpally in Nizamabad district.

Studies have been completed for all except Anthergaon. “According to the findings, the locations identified in Kothagudem and Mahbubnagar were assessed as not feasible for airport development. The Jakranpally site was found technically feasible, although contingent on the removal of man-made obstacles and the grant of a no-objection certificate from the Ministry of Defence,” he added.

The minister further added that under the Greenfield Airports Policy 2008, the responsibility for implementation of the Greenfield airport projects, including funding, lies with the Project Proponent. The timeline for completion of the airport projects depends upon several factors such as land acquisition, rehabilitation and resettlement measures, financial closure and obtaining mandatory clearances including environmental clearances.

Responding to a query on whether the government had assessed passenger demand and financial viability to avoid the creation of underutilised airport infrastructure in Telangana, the Minister said that in-principle approval under the Greenfield Airports Policy is granted only after a comprehensive evaluation by the Steering Committee on Greenfield Airports. He said the committee undertakes a holistic assessment of proposals, including passenger demand and financial viability, to ensure that airports approved under the policy meet utilisation expectations and do not remain underused.