To promote tourism in its hilly Pithoragarh district, the Uttarakhand government is seeking a special plan assistance (SPA) of Rs 25 crore from the Centre for the expansion and modernisation of Naini-Saini airport in the district.
The State authorities had appointed RITES last year as the consultant for the expansion and modernisation work of the airport. RITES has prepared a fresh detailed project report (DPR) of the airport project, which will be expanded for the landing of ATR 42 aircraft. The DPR has already been given financial clearance.
A top government official said that the government has set a deadline for the completion of this airport in 24 months time. The government has already released Rs 3 crore for the development works, the official added. Last year, the government canceled its agreement with Stup, a company which had earlier been appointed as consultant.
The government-owned Uttarakhand State Infrastructure Development Corporation (USIDCL) which is the nodal agency for the development of the airport, had appointed the Mumbai-based Stup as the consultant and agreed to pay Rs 3.51 crore as the consultancy fees as being demanded by the firm.
But Stup backed out after the government tried to renegotiate on the consultancy fees. After the consultant backed out, the government cancelled the agreement also. RITES will charge a consultancy fee of Rs 1.46 crore.
An investment of Rs 48 core is proposed for expanding and strengthening the runway, upgrading other related operational infrastructure and terminal facilities at the Naini Saini airport, which had not been operational for years now.
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