The Varanasi airport is all set to open its wings to a major expansion plan with Airport Authority of India (AAI) proposing a multi-crore facelift to the airport in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constituency. The modification, proposed at an estimated cost of around Rs.280 crore, would not only pave way for expansion of runway to allow landing of bigger aircraft, but also an improved terminal building to suit the VIP status of the city . The authority also seeks to put in place the CAT navigation system to allow landing of aircraft under low-visibility conditions.
Varanasi airport director SS Mallik confirmed that the proposal has been sent to the ministry of civil aviation. "We hope to get the proposal approved soon. The airport happens to be a gateway to Kashi," he said. The director said that the airport is flanked by a railway line and the Lucknow-Varanasi national highway on both ends. "The authority has pr oposed realignment of the national highway so that the airport could get ample space for its expansion, he said. Sources said that the AAI is in touch with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to get the highway shifted at least four to five kilometers away from the airport. The railway line, however, may not be touched.
At the same time, the runway is also proposed to be expanded from the existing 2.75 km to 3.5 km to allow bigger aircraft like Boeing to land."This is being done keeping in mind the future," he said. Malik said that plans are also afoot to modify the taxi way and have a bigger apron area to accommodate more aircraft. This would also allow more flights to land at the airport, which currently receives barely nine flights, essentially in the domestic terminal.
Situated in Babatpur area on the North-West part of Varanasi, the airport is also known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport. It was given the international ranking in October 2012. Init ially, there was a proposal to hand over the airport to a private developer who would be required to develop and operate it. The move was, however, opposed by the airport employees who feared losing their jobs.
The UP government has also been trying to promote the airport. Only two days ago, the department of tourism announced reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from the existing 21% to only 4%, to woo more operators to fly into Kashi.
Varanasi airport director SS Mallik confirmed that the proposal has been sent to the ministry of civil aviation. "We hope to get the proposal approved soon. The airport happens to be a gateway to Kashi," he said. The director said that the airport is flanked by a railway line and the Lucknow-Varanasi national highway on both ends. "The authority has pr oposed realignment of the national highway so that the airport could get ample space for its expansion, he said. Sources said that the AAI is in touch with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to get the highway shifted at least four to five kilometers away from the airport. The railway line, however, may not be touched.
At the same time, the runway is also proposed to be expanded from the existing 2.75 km to 3.5 km to allow bigger aircraft like Boeing to land."This is being done keeping in mind the future," he said. Malik said that plans are also afoot to modify the taxi way and have a bigger apron area to accommodate more aircraft. This would also allow more flights to land at the airport, which currently receives barely nine flights, essentially in the domestic terminal.
Situated in Babatpur area on the North-West part of Varanasi, the airport is also known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport. It was given the international ranking in October 2012. Init ially, there was a proposal to hand over the airport to a private developer who would be required to develop and operate it. The move was, however, opposed by the airport employees who feared losing their jobs.
The UP government has also been trying to promote the airport. Only two days ago, the department of tourism announced reduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) on the Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) from the existing 21% to only 4%, to woo more operators to fly into Kashi.
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