NOIDA: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday inspected the Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar and emphasised the importance of completing the project on schedule while maintaining construction standards.
The CM, while chairing a review meeting with officials from the district administration, Yamuna Industrial Development Expressway Authority (YEIDA) and the airport concessionaire, said that any issues arising during construction should be resolved at the level of the govt.
NIA, the first phase of which was supposed to be operational by Sept this year, is likely to start commercial operations by Apr 2025. Construction was partially delayed due to slower procurement of steel.
Govt officials had earlier said that they will slap a fine of Rs 10 lakh per day on the airport concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Ltd (YIAPL), after the 91-day grace period (beyond the original deadline) ends.
YIAPL officials said last month, the runway was ready and work was being carried out for runway markings and installation of ground lighting. According to their schedule, calibration flights to check the instrument landing system will be carried out in Sept and Oct, followed by validation flights for approach/departure procedures in Dec.
After these steps are completed, they will apply for the aerodrome licence from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a mandatory certification for starting commercial operations.
Yogi, at the meeting on Tuesday, also spoke of challenges faced in acquiring land for the project and told officials to engage with farmers to resolve their concerns at the earliest for a smooth takeover.
He cautioned against allowing outsiders to mislead villagers and suggested that officials utilise the expertise of Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) in acquiring land for the airport.
The district administration has started taking possession of land for phase 2 of the project, which will include development of maintenance & repair and overhaul (MRO), and aviation hubs.
For this phase, the administration will have to acquire 1,365 acres of land, a majority of which lies in Karauli Bangar, Dayanatpur, Kuraib, Ranhera, Mudharh and nearby villages.
The chief minister also stressed the importance of connectivity to the airport and said that all rail, metro and other transportation facilities planned for the area should be completed in time.
The first phase of the international airport, spanning 1,334 hectares in Jewar, will feature a runway and terminal designed to handle 12 million passengers annually. The airport will be expanded and built in four phases that will include development of several hubs.
