Navi Mumbai International Airport to handle capacity of 60 mppa; Phase-I to handle minimum 10 mppa

The greenfield Navi Mumbai International Airport, being developed over 1,160 hectare, is a development in four phases to achieve the capacity to handle 60 mppa. It has been planned with two parallel and independent runways for simultaneous and independent operations. According to a CIDCO spokesperson, “Phase-1 of the project is expected to be completed in about three years from the date of achievement of financial closure. In this phase, the concessionaire has to develop the airport to handle a minimum of 10 mppa.” Estimated construction cost: Rs 18,000 crore; Rs 3,420 crore additional cost of pre-development works Execution period: Three-and-a-half years for Phase-I The airport is proposed for development through PPP on a design-build-finance operate and transfer (DBFOT) model. The master planning will be done by the concessionaire (airport developer). The concessionaire, who is currently being selected through an international competitive bidding process, will develop and operate the airport through a long term concession of 30 + 30 years. The initial term of the concession is 30 years, which is extendable by another 10 years subject to satisfactory performance and no material default by the concessionaire. Fresh bidding shall take place for the last 20 years of the concession. Soon after appointment, airport land development works will be assigned to the concessionaire, who will be then be responsible for implementation. The project has been accorded major clearances from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) and Ministry of Defence. The Bombay High Court has permitted the clearance of mangroves in the airport area. Also, Stage 1 forest and wildlife clearance has been obtained; Stage 2 forest clearance is awaited from MoEF. Private land of 292 hectare, which comprises 25 per cent of the core area, is in the process of being acquired; this is expected to be completed shortly. Land acquisition awards for all 292 hectare of land and 15 hectare of gaothans have been declared, of which 189 hectare land has been taken in possession at present. The process of taking over possession for the balance land is underway. Rehabilitation and resettlement of about 3,000 households from the project area are also in progress. The pre-development works of airport land development and shifting of EHVT lines are now being taken up by CIDCO to expedite the development of the airport. The bidding process has been completed and the LoA will be awarded to the successful bidder after PMIC and Cabinet approval. After the issuance of the LoA, the concession agreement will be signed with the successful bidder. After this and achievement of financial closure, development work will commence. “Procurement requirements will be as per the provisions of the concession agreement and tenders will be floated by the concessionaire for the airport development works,” the spokesperson informs.