New Delhi: The Government of India has approved the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) proposal to develop a Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi in Rajasthan at an estimated cost of Rs 1507 crore.

The Rajasthan government has transferred 440.06 hectares of land to AAI for the project, which will be suitable for the operation of A-321 type aircraft. The upcoming airport will feature a terminal building spread over 20,000 sqm, with the capacity to handle 1,000 peak-hour passengers and two million passengers annually. Plans also include a 3,200m x 45m runway (11/29), an apron with seven parking bays for A-321 aircraft, two link taxiways, an ATC cum technical block, a fire station, car parking facilities and allied infrastructure.

Kota, located on the banks of the Chambal River, is recognised as the industrial capital of Rajasthan and is also known as India’s educational coaching hub. Officials said the new airport would support the city’s growing role in both sectors and address the rising demand for air connectivity.

At present, Kota Airport is owned by AAI and has limited facilities, including a 1,220m x 38m runway (08/26) suitable only for Code ‘B’ aircraft such as DO-228, and an apron that can accommodate two such aircraft. The existing terminal building spans just 400 sqm and can handle only 50 passengers during peak hours. Due to urbanisation and limited land availability, the current airport cannot be expanded for commercial operations.

The Greenfield Airport project is expected to bridge this gap and provide the region with modern aviation infrastructure in line with anticipated traffic growth.

BI Bureau