SINDHUDURG AIRPORT MAY BE COMPLETE BY END OF AUGUST

MUMBAI: The upcoming greenfield airport at Sindhudurg has gotten one step closer to becoming operational, with 80% of the construction work on the passengers terminal building, air traffic control (ATC) tower, and technical building completed. Civil Aviation minister Suresh Prabhu, who visited the site on Saturday, conducted a review meeting of the work done so far.

The airport is being constructed by IRB Infrastructure Developers for the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation at an estimated cost of ₹520 crore. It is expected to be completed by the end of August.

It is slated to be the 14th domestic airport in the state and will operate flights under the Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN) scheme, which is part of the national civil aviation policy announced in 2016.

“Air-connectivity to the Konkan region fulfils the objectives of UDAN-RCS of the government which will let the common citizen of the country fly and make air travel affordable and widespread, give a boost to inclusive economic development, job growth and air transport infrastructure development,” Prabhu said in the review meeting held on Thursday.

Prabhu said the construction of the Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri airports will provide better connectivity to Konkan region of Maharashtra, north Karnataka, western Maharashtra and Goa, while also boosting tourism in the state.

In an official statement, the ministry said the construction of taxiway, apron and isolation bay is completed. The ministry also stated that the work on construction of ancillary buildings is nearing completion.