While the change in the political equations between the Centre and the Mayawati government in UP is likely to signal a burial for the chief minister’s most ambitious projects, the 5000-crore Greenfield Taj international aviation hub in Jewar, it is also likely to put two more international airports, one in Gangoh (Saharanpur) and the other one in Kushinagar on the backburner.
While the initial concept report for the Gangoh international airport is ready, the consulting agency is testing the feasibility of Kushinagar international airport, government sources confirmed. ?The way, the Jewar airport is part of Taj Expressway project, Gagoh will be a part of the proposed 250 km, eight-laned Ghaziabad-Saharanpur-Dehradun Hindan Expressway, whereas the proposal to have an international airport in Kushinagar revolves around the acute need to cater to the heavy rush of international tourists visiting Kushinagar, which is at the centre of the Buddhist circuit?, confirmed a senior government officer.
The Gangoh international airport will benefit six states: Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttaranchal and UP. ?There is no major airport within 150 to 200 kilometre of Delhi, even for domestic flights”, he said quoting from the report.
The Hindan expressway, which will be the first inter-state venture between Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand has already received an environment clearance and work for initializing this project is in an advanced stage. In fact, the state government would be inviting expressions of interest from consultants to prepare a detailed feasibility report on the project soon. And since the expressway would be built on the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, the state does not need Centre’s clearance on it. However, the civil aviation department’s nod would definitely be needed to start work on the airport, conceded the official.
Though the state government is working hard on both new projects, the soured relations between the Centre and state will affect the projects. ?Clearance for the Taj international aviation hub is pending with the Centre for over a year now and despite several reminders from us, there is no communication from their end. As a result, we are sure that the other two projects too, would suffer?said the official.