New hub airport for India

PLANS are afoot to turn Indore’s Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport into an international cargo hub, an Indian government minister reveals.

Union minister for civil aviation, Ajit Singh (pictured), believes a hub at the Central Indian airport will transform business – including agribusiness – around the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh state.

Singh called on the state government to consider allocating nearby land to the Airport Authority of India to assist the ambitious expansion plans.

He made the announcement after recently inaugurating a new terminal building at the airport.

Singh also revealed Gwalior and Khajuraho domestic airports, based in the northeast and southeast of the state respectively, will be developed as part of a five-year plan.

Contrastingly, he warned Air India to cut costs and improve its performance or face losing government bailouts.

Customs officials reportedly temporarily seized the beleaguered carrier’s cargo last month over an unpaid foreign travel tax bill totaling Rs2.44 crore (US$47,400).

Air India still owes Rs7 crore ($136,100).

Share this story