File Pic
Nagpur: Yesterday had seemed a disappointing day for MIHAN and the Babasaheb Ambedkar international Airport since the long pending privatization process of the airport had been delayed again by 15 days at least.
But now it seems that everything happens for the best, afterall! After the 5 companies that had shown interest in bidding for the airport asked for postponement again, a Russian delegation visited MIHAN offices today and surveyed both MIHAN area and the Nagpur Airport. The 8 members delegation was headed by their M.D. Mikhail it is learnt and they positively seem interested in the airport project.
The Nagpur airport is pivotal to the development of MIHAN since the SEZ is meant for 100% export oriented companies. It was handed over by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to the State Govt. way back in 2009 and since then has been managed by a new Company called Mihan India Ltd. MIL has been jointly formed by MADC and AAIL but development has been in limbo since it was known that privatization was on the cards sooner or later.
The first deadline was set for 2014, then extended to August 2015. Finally, July 29th 2016 was set as the final date to invite applications. Companies had asked for a month’s extension then. Now the 5 Indian companies interested have asked for 15 more days to ‘study’ the Nagpur existing infrastructure.
It is learnt that MADC has floated tenders for privatization of other Maharashtra airports too, like Goa, and companies are weighing their options.
Meanwhile, it could be good news for Nagpur that a Russian big Corporation has shown interest.
