New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district is set to get a Greenfield airport, courtesy state-run AAI (Airports Authority of India). AAI has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Himachal Pradesh (GoHP) on Wednesday for the development of a Greenfield airport at Nagchala near Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
The government of Himachal Pradesh had expressed their interest to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, for the construction of a Greenfield Airport at Nagchala near Mandi. Initially, the airport will be suitable for operation of aircraft up to ATR 72.
The development of the Greenfield Airport with unidirectional runway will be implemented through a Joint Venture Company ("JVC") wherein AAI will hold 51 percent equity and the remaining 49 percent equity will be held by the Himachal Pradesh government or its designated agency.
The JVC will undertake the functions of designing, developing, constructing and completion of the Airport ("Project") including finance, for commercial civil aviation operation as well as undertake operation, maintenance, management of the Airport in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MOU.
AAI will soon incorporate a JVC under Companies Act, 2013 and will also execute a Joint Venture Agreement and Shareholders Agreement with the Himachal Pradesh government and Communication, Navigation, Surveillance and Air Traffic Management (CNS / ATM) Agreement with JVC.
The MoU was signed by HS Balhrara, Executive Director (Planning) from AAI and Yunus, IAS, Director, Department of Tourism & Civil Aviation from Himachal Pradesh government at AAI's Corporate Headquarters, Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, New Delhi in the presence of Arvind Singh, Chairman, AAI, Shri AK Pathak, Member (Planning), AAI, Vineet Gulati, Member (ANS), AAI and senior officials of AAI.