Govt positive about Nashik airport expansion: Mohol
Nashik: Union minister of state for civic aviation Murlidhar Mohol on Wednesday said govt was positive about the expansion of the Nashik airport terminal in view of the
Kumbh Mela
.
Mohol said the new airport terminal was built at Prayagraj in just 15 months ahead of the Kumbh Mela there.
"Now, we are positive about the expansion of the existing Nashik airport terminal building and also improving its air connectivity," he said.
The Nashik airport, managed by defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), is located around 20km from Nashik city.
Mohol said he discussed the airport expansion with CM Devendra Fadnavis, who requested him to visit the facility and review the scope for expansion.
The Union minister also held a meeting with HAL and Nashik airport officials, directing HAL to send an expansion proposal to CM Fadnavis and him.
A delegation of Nashik Industries & Manufacturers' Association (NIMA) also met Mohol and discussed issues related to the airport expansion and approval for the immigration check-post at the terminal.
NIMA president Ashish Nahar stated Mohol assured them of expanding the airport terminal and enhancing the air connectivity from the airport.
Manish Rawal, chairman of the aviation committee of NIMA, said considering the rise in the number of flights and passengers during the upcoming Simhastha Kumbh Mela, there was a need to increase the capacity of the existing airport terminal.
At present, a private airline is operating flights from Nashik airport to six destinations — Delhi, Goa, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Nagpur. The airline is also planning to start flights to Kolkata.
State govt and HAL jointly developed the Nashik airport terminal around 12 years back at Rs 94 crore. In 2015, state govt leased the airport terminal at Rs 1,000 per month for 30 years till 2045. The seating capacity of the present terminal building is around 300 passengers. The average passengers footfall at the airport throughout the day is around 1,500.
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