Federa airport one step closer to reality

Second international airport at Federa, 85 km from Ahmedabad, is a step closer to reality with the Union ministry of civil aviation asking the state government to submit the final detailed project report. The state government in turn has roped in the services of Airports Authority of India (AAI) to prepare the detailed project report. Officials said that with the seven-member AAI team giving its clearance to the proposed site, the state has also allocated around Rs 23 crore for the construction of an expressway connecting Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar, which would be directly connected with the proposed airport at Federa. The government has carried out technical feasibility report for the Ahmedabad-Wataman-Dholera-Bhavnagar expressway. The 152.6 km stretch would be a 10-lane road. This would shorten the distance between Ahmdebad and Bhavnagar by 46 km. Officials said that the state was to bear the expenses for the project report so it thought it best to rope in AAI for preparing the report as it would be technically sound. Making the report alone is likely to cost Rs 3 crore. Officials said that the AAI is expected to give its report in the next six months after which it would be sent to the Union ministry for clearance. According to sources, “The team which had visited the site had found the site technically viable for the 28 sq km airport.” Official said that the team had paved the way for the green field airport which would be a cargo and passenger airport. Moreover, with the an aim to provide better connectivity to the proposed site, the government has also allocated around Rs 23 crore in the 2010-11 budget for the expressway between Ahmedabad-Bhavnagar via Sarkhej-Pipli and Dholera. Official said that around Rs 4.58 crore were allocated for land acquisition and ancillary activities for the expressway, while another Rs 18.35 crore have been allocated for the construction of the expressway. The budget proposal has mentioned, “Considering the future industrial development in this area, industries and mines department has suggested proposed expressway.” Moreover, Dholera is near the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), said the officer. Also the area has proximity to the two big special economic zones which are planned at Sanand and Changodar.