Detailed design and engineering work for GMR Goa International Airport under progress

GMR Goa International Airport (GGIAL), a subsidiary of GMR Airports (GAL), is developing a greenfield airport at Mopa in North Goa. This project is based on the PPP model, on a design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) basis. The concession to develop, operate and manage the airport was awarded to GAL on August 28, 2016, following an international competitive bidding process. The concession agreement was signed between GGIAL and the Goa government on November 8, 2016. The concession period is for 40 years with a possible extension of another 20 years through a bid process. Estimated construction cost: About Rs 2,000 crore (Phase-I) Execution period: 36 months GGIAL will initially be developed in stages to service about 5 million passengers per annum and will be scaled up as per traffic growth demands. It will be a full-service airport catering to domestic and international passenger besides freight services, and is expected to be in operation by May 2020. According to a GMR spokesperson, “The Goa government is already in possession of the project land, which is going to be handed over to GGIAL shortly. Detailed design and engineering work for the project is under progress. Aerial survey works have been completed and geotechnical investigation works are at an advanced stage of completion.” Plus, discussions are at an advanced stage with various banks and financial institutions for achievement of financial closure. Tenders will be floated during the next two months. The project has received environment clearance from the Ministry of Environment & Forests and the ‘consent to establish’ has been received from the Goa State Pollution Control Board. Also, the company spokesperson confirms that the master plan approval is in process and other statutory clearances have been applied for; approvals are expected shortly. GGIAL will award the construction works in various packages by following an international competitive bidding process.