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Cabinet clearance for construction of airports, helipads for private use

P. Sunderarajan

NEW DELHI: Marking a major departure in the area of civil aviation, the Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the construction of airports, airstrips and helipads for private use.

Announcing the decision, Minister and Cabinet spokesperson Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said it would substantially reduce the burden on other operational airports and improve connection to far-flung locations, without compromising on safety and public interest.

On greenfield airport

Chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Cabinet also decided that no greenfield airport would be allowed within an aerial distance of 150 km of an existing civilian airport as a general rule. However, in case such an airport was found necessary, the issue would be examined taking into account the impact on the existing airport. The government would take the decision on a case-to-case basis.

The Cabinet decided to further facilitate co-production of films by Indian and British producers, by allowing the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to sign the Annex (Rules of Procedure) to the Film Co-Production Agreement already signed with Britain. It also approved the signing and ratification of a bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement with Bangladesh.

It also gave its nod for introduction of a Bill to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act to introduce auctioning for coal mining blocks for captive use through competitive bidding as the selection process for allocation, and a Bill to replace the Gram Nyayalaya Bill with a new Bill to take into account the recommendations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee, which went into the Bill, as well as the suggestions made by a conference of Law Ministers, Law Secretaries and Registrar-Generals of High Courts.

The setting up of a 1,000 MW coal-based thermal power plant at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu — as a joint venture between Neyveli Lignite Corporation and the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board — was approved.

Power plant for T.N.

The Rs. 4,909-crore plant will have four units of 250 MW each and the power generated will be available to States in the southern region.

A joint venture company called NLC-Tamil Nadu Power Limited for implementing the project was also cleared. The NLC would have a share holding of 89 per cent and TNEB 11 per cent.

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