Airbus operations at Gujarat’s Keshod Airport likely by 2027: Mansukh Mandaviya

Junagadh, July 10 (IANS) The Union government is aiming to enable Airbus and cargo flight operations at Keshod Airport by 2027, Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said while chairing a review meeting of development projects in Junagadh on Friday, directing officials to accelerate work to meet the target.

Mandaviya, the Member of Parliament from Porbandar and Union Minister for Labour and Employment, as well as Youth Affairs and Sports, chaired the meeting, which was attended by officials from various government departments, to assess the progress of development works across the district.

Reviewing ongoing projects, the minister sought detailed progress reports from the concerned departments and instructed officials to ensure that all works are completed to a high standard of quality and transparency, and within the prescribed timelines.

During the meeting, Mandaviya said: “The government’s approach is to commence Airbus and cargo flight operations at Keshod Airport by 2027.”

He directed the departments involved to speed up implementation so that the objective can be achieved on schedule.

The government’s target aligns with the Airports Authority of India’s ongoing expansion of Keshod Airport.

The redevelopment project, estimated at Rs 364 crore, includes a new 6,500-square-metre terminal building with a peak-hour capacity of 400 arriving and 400 departing passengers, along with the extension of the runway to 2,500 metres to accommodate Airbus A320-type aircraft.

The project is targeted for completion by January 2027, subject to factors such as statutory clearances and land-related requirements.

The minister also reviewed the impact of the recent heavy monsoon rainfall in the Junagadh region and sought detailed information on the damage caused.

In view of the possibility of further natural disasters during the monsoon season, he instructed the Disaster Management Department and other concerned agencies to remain on constant alert and be prepared to undertake rescue and relief operations whenever required.

Mandaviya further directed officials to ensure effective planning and prompt action so that farmers and the general public face the least possible inconvenience.

He also reviewed development and mitigation works being carried out in the Ghed region and guided the officials on their implementation.

–IANS

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