Centre to release new policy on airport infrastructure soon

Kolkata: The government will come out with a new airport infrastructure policy by the end of March or early April with the intention of boosting private investment in greenfield airports in the country.

"We are in the process of formulating a clear set of guidelines for attracting more investment in airport infrastructure. The policy notification will come by early April and is awaiting cabinet clearance," said union civil aviation minister, Praful Patel.

The ministry hopes to come out with a list of closed airports, which it hopes to revive through the joint venture route with the help of private investment.

The policy has been formulated by the committee on infrastructure, headed by prime minister Manmohan Singh. Other committee members include deputy chairman of the Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, the finance minister, P Chidambaram and the civil aviation minister, Praful Patel.

It is expected that the new policy will come out with a set of guidelines that will facilitate investments in airports. It will likely include provisions for a single-window clearance for greenfield airports, involving concerned ministries such as those of defence and home.