The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has reportedly unveiled plans to invest nearly Rs14bn ($211.64m) to modernise Chennai and Kolkata airports.
As part of the upgrade plans, an investment of about Rs10bn ($151.17m) at the Chennai Airport will see the integration of domestic and international terminals facilitating easy access to the passengers.
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An official was quoted by PTI as saying: "We are integrating domestic and international terminals at Chennai airport for facilitating passengers an easy access as part of the second phase of its expansion plans. We are in the process of appointing a project management consultant for this purpose."
At Kolkata Airport, AAI is looking to build an air traffic control tower (ATC) and an estimated investment of Rs3bn-4bn ($45.35m) is expected to be spent for the construction.
According to an official, the projects would be funded through internal accruals as well as by raising debt from the market.
The move follows after the Indian Government dropped its plans to privatise six airports at Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Guwahati due to the possibility for high flying costs.
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By GlobalDataIn November 2013, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on transport, tourism and culture recommended that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) be allowed to construct, maintain and operate all its airports.
In addition, the committee suggested that AAI be allowed to form a subsidiary to grant management contracts to companies having expertise in the field.
Image:The Chennai International Airport.Photo: courtesy of Tshrinivasan.
