Greater Noida airport to take off? Govt begins consultations

The much delayed Greater Noida airport project could finally take-off soon, with the UP government seeking the aviation ministry’s permission for setting up an international airport in Jewar.

The much delayed Greater Noida airport project could finally take-off soon, with the UP government seeking the aviation ministry’s permission for setting up an international airport in Jewar.

The proposal for an international airport in Greater Noida has been in the works for several years. The aviation ministry has begun consultations on building an international airport in Jewar, yet again. (Hindustan Times)

The proposal, sources said, was received last week and the ministry has sought the views of the DGCA, Airports Authority of India and defence ministry for granting the initial site clearance approval for the project.

Sources said 2,378 acres of land have been acquired for the project.

The Jewar airport was first mooted in 2001 by the then UP chief minister, Rajnath Singh. “A new airport will take at least five years to come up. The government needs to plan in advance so we don’t have a Mumbai-like situation where the airport is reaching its saturation point while the Navi Mumbai airport is yet to take-off,” said aviation expert Subhash Goyal.

The GMR Group, which operates Delhi’s IGI airport, would be the preferred developer and have the right of first refusal for the new project. Sources said the government will amend the rule that prohibits a second airport from coming up within 150 km radius of an existing one, to facilitate setting up the Jewar airport.