New aviation policy in Nov

KOLKATA: The Centre will adopt and implement a new aviation policy in November, under which a number of new projects, including upgradation of the NSC Bose International Airport in Kolkata, would be taken up, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said on Friday.

The new aviation policy would also envisage extension of private air links, now operational in the Saarc countries, to some Asean nations connecting Singapore, Bangkok, Shanghai and Tokyo, Patel said.

On the upgradation of the NSC Bose International Airport, Patel said that funds had been earmarked to remodel it after leading world airports.

"As per the UPA government''s new aviation policy, Kolkata airport will be remodelled on the standard of a world class airport," Patel told reporters after a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadev Bhattacharjee here.

The main architect of the De Gaulle airport had already been given the responsibility to make a study.

The existing international terminal would be demolished and a new one on the pattern of a world class one would be built.

Simultaneously, the existing domestic terminal would be upgraded to international standard.

On the small number of international flights operating from Kolkata compared to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai airports, the Civil Aviation Minister said that the UPA government has laid stress on the provision of better infrastructure for accommodating the maximum number of international flights from Kolkata.

''''This will be possible by upgrading the instrument landing system (ILS) and the runway lighting arrangements, ensuring landing even in foggy conditions,'''' he said.

He, however, did not touch upon the financial requirement for the total upgrade of the Kolkata airport.

To a question, Patel said that the Indian Airlines and Alliance Air would go for fleet acquisition with the introduction of A-319 airbus.

For this purpose, an engineering base would be set up by the Indian Airlines at the airport here, to be operational from next year.

''''Kolkata Airport''s infrastructure is weak, which needs total upgradation, with particular reference to cargo and cold storage facilities.''''