India launches plan to build 100 new airports and privatize railway lines

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The Ministry of Finance in India has launched plans to build 100 new airports by 2024, the plan is outlined in the 2020 budget. The budget 2020 also includes plans to operate 1,150 train routes on the PPP procurement model. This development will be funded by the INR 1.7 trillion (US$ 23.7 billion) allocated to the transportation sector in the budget.

India is the third biggest domestic market for civil aviation. The new airports' development will boost the economy as well as accessibility to aviation for civilians. Airports are expected to aid the program ‘Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik (UDAN)’. UDAN aims to make air travel inexpensive and accessible to more Indian citizens, under this program, 40 airports have started development and operations. Currently, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is responsible for 136 airports and only 6 airports are operated by the private partners.

The ministry also launched plans to privatize 1,150 train routes which will be operated by the private sector partners. The redevelopment of four train stations is also planned to be awarded on the PPP model. The government also has plans to construct the power capacity along the rail track.

 

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