Centre to invest Rs 1 lakh-cr in airport sector

The Union Civil Aviation Minister has announced the government's plan to invest Rs. 1 lakh crore in airports in the near future. The ministry has already formulated comprehensive expansion plans for airports, resulting in a significant increase in the number of airports, heliports, and water aerodromes. Over the past 9 years, the country has witnessed the construction of 74 additional airports, heliports, and water aerodromes, effectively doubling the total count to 148. The government aims to further increase this number to 200 within the next 4 years. To facilitate this expansion, the ministry has devised an investment plan that involves both the private sector and the government.

Furthermore, the throughput capacity of the country's six major airports, including Jewar and Navi Mumbai airports, currently stands at 22 crores per year. However, with the implementation of the ministry's plans, this capacity is projected to increase to 42 crores over the next four years. In line with these developments, Indian airlines are also scaling up their operations. Air India, for instance, has placed orders for a total of 470 aircraft, consisting of 420 narrow-body planes and 50 wide-body planes.