Gwadar airport to be given to CAA in 2010

Gwadar airport to be given to CAA in 2010
By Correspondent

Lahore—Two new airports New Islamabad International Airport (NIIA) and New Gawadar International Airports (NGIA) are scheduled to be handed over to Civil Aviation Authority(CAA) in December 2010 and November 2010 respectively. According to sources here, Civil Aviation Authority is carrying out mega development projects for upgradation of airports across the country with huge sum of Rs 9 billion earmarked for annual Development Programe (ADP)for the fiscal year 2007-2008 against Rs 1.0 billion spent during the year 2006-2007. According to Civil Aviation Authority sources, CAA has already committed Rs. 5.1 billion by December 31, 2007 i.e. after six months against the ADP provision of 9 billion for complete financial year.

Foundation for the New Islamabad International Airport was laid in April 2007 by the president of Pakistan. Design concept and layout of NIIA have been finalized and construction tender have already been floated. As NIIA is the first ever green field airport of the country therefore the first stage of ground work has already been completed and the work at terminal building will be started soon and is expected to be completed within 33 months which has been reduced from 36 months i.e. by the end of the year 2010.

Forty three hundred acres of land has been earmarked for New Gawadar international Airport (NGIA) which is in finalization for handing over to CAA at a site located at “Gurandani”, 26 km east of Gawadar city and payment amounting to Rs. 1.47 billion stand released by the Government of Pakistan.

The conceptual master plan of NGIA has already been developed whereas topographic and soil test work has been awarded. Physical commencement is expected by June, 2008 with completion time of 30 months i.e. end of 2010. Work on other mega projects such as up-gradation of Multan and Peshawar airports is also in hand. Other development projects include expansion and renovation of passenger’s terminal and allied work at Quetta airport, expansion and renovation of terminal building at the Turbat airport and Chitral airport, interim expansion terminal building and lounges at the Skardu airport and later a new passenger’s terminal adjacent to the apron.