New Delhi, Sept 13: An 18-hole golf course, new recreation spots and super-speciality hospitals. These are the government's plan for the new privatised airports being proposed in Delhi and Mumbai. "Passengers can look forward to ultra-modern airports in both Delhi and Mumbai, with facilities matching the best in the world. Our intention is to create facilities that make the entire experience of travel and long waits at airports a pleasure," senior officials at the civil aviation ministry told this reporter.


Towards this end, the ministry has decided to give the private developer, who will shortlisted under this exercise, the freedom to undertake related non-aeronautical activities to generate revenue.



"This will serve a dual purpose. Besides providing some entertainment to travellers, it would help augment the venture's revenue. With these recreational facilities alone, we expect a 20 per cent jump in earnings," the officials said.

A day after the privatisation plan was approved by the Union cabinet, the civil aviation ministry has set up an empowered committee to overlook the airport rebuilding exercise.

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The ministry will, over the next one month, invite expression of interest (EoI) from private developers from across the globe. "Their bids will be shortlisted and in four months, we intend to invite final proposals from the shortlisted parties. The bid selection exercise is also expected to be completed within 4 months and within a year thereafter, we expect to have the new airports in place," Civil Aviation Secretary K Roy Paul said.


But the ministry does not intend to hold any roadshows this time round. The two international airports, even though shabby by world standards, are the country's busiest and most profitable with traffic growing at 5-5.5 per cent a year.

Service and quality standards will be set by AAI, while owners will be required to submit master plans, along with investment plans. The successful bidder will also have to submit a concept design while bidding for the project.



"We do not intend to close down the airport while the new terminals and other facilities will be build. The proposals from the private developers will include a conceptual design and a time-bound plan for developing these facilities while alongside operating the airport," another senior official said. Bureau Report