• Source:JND
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Meerut Runway Expansion:  Rajya Sabha member Dr Laxmikant Bajpai recently met with Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu in New Delhi to discuss the expansion of Meerut's runway and the development of an airport capable of handling 72-seater aircraft. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a runway that is 210 metres wide and 2,280 metres long would be suitable for an ATR 72-seater aircraft. The runway measures only 80 metres in width and 1,800 metres in length.

The land is available to expand the runway to the required dimensions, with six individuals set to pay Rs 23 crore for a proposed four-hectare plot. The Uttar Pradesh government will fund this cost, and once the land is acquired, it will be registered with the Airport Authority of India (AAI), which will begin the runway expansion.

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In addition, AAI is expected to provide the land to the state government free of charge. Despite the high cost of land acquisition, plans for operating 72-seater aircraft by extending the existing runway were outlined years ago. The runway was handed over to AAI in 2014, yet, after nearly a decade, the dream of launching flights remains unrealised.

Dr Laxmikant Bajpai mentioned that the Uttar Pradesh Civil Aviation Department has requested an NOC from the DGCA in order to release Rs 23 crore for the project. He emphasised that obtaining the NOC is crucial for moving forward. During a review meeting in Meerut on Sunday, when Dr Bajpai requested the Chief Minister to release the Rs 23 crore for the airstrip, the Chief Minister responded by stating that once the NOC from DGCA is obtained, the funds will be released.