Six companies including domestic major, L&T has been shortlisted by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the revamping of the Chennai and kolkata airports. This airport modernization project which is worth Rs 3,800-crore had enticed about 15 international construction majors, out of which AAI picked just six. As per sources, among the international companies the AAI picked for the modernization of Chennai and Kolkata airports include ITD (Hong Kong), Ssangyong (Malaysia) and M/s TAV Tepe Akfen (Turkey).

 

Indian company L&T that has got hold of contracts for revamping Delhi and Mumbai airports from GMR and GVK, is also in the race for Kolkata and Chennai ones. The foreign companies have Indian partners for their airport joint ventures. While Rs 2,000 Crore has been earmarked for revamping the Kolkata airport, another Rs 1,800 Crore has been put aside for the Chennai airport. The Airports Authority of India had got 11 applications for Kolkata and 12 for Chennai from construction companies of Korean, Thailand, America, Europe and other countries.

 

The committee of infrastructure led by the Indian PM, Manmohan Singh had passed the Kolkata airport modernization project last April and Chennai one in June. Aviation minister of India, Praful Patel wants these airports modernization works to initiate on time so that they can get completed within their 2010-11 deadline. While the technical approvals are expected to come soon, the AAI was signaled to head first and initiate its bit so that the project work can start on as soon as all necessary clearances arrive.