Cabinet Approves Rs. 1,507 Crore Greenfield Airport Project at Kota-Bundi, Rajasthan to Boost Regional Connectivity.
New Delhi:
In a major step towards enhancing regional air connectivity and boosting infrastructure in Rajasthan, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of a Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi. The project, to be developed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,507 crore.
Kota: Educational and Industrial Powerhouse
Situated along the Chambal River, Kota is widely recognised as the industrial capital of Rajasthan and has earned a national reputation as the “Educational Coaching Hub of India”. The planned Greenfield Airport is expected to cater to the growing needs of students, industry professionals, and business travellers, providing the city with much-needed air connectivity.
Project Details: Modern Infrastructure for Growing Demand
The Rajasthan Government has transferred 440.06 hectares of land to the AAI for this development. Once completed, the new airport will be capable of accommodating A-321 type aircraft and handling 2 million passengers per annum (MPPA).
Key features of the proposed Greenfield Airport include:
| Infrastructure Component | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Terminal Building | 20,000 sqm, 1,000 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP) capacity |
| Runway | 11/29, 3200m x 45m, suitable for A-321 aircraft |
| Apron | 7 parking bays for A-321 aircraft |
| Taxiways | 2 Link Taxiways |
| ATC and Technical Block | Included |
| Fire Station, Car Park, Allied Works | Included |
Limitations of the Existing Airport
Currently, Kota has a small airport under AAI, which features a runway (08/26) measuring 1220m x 38m, suitable only for Code ‘B’ aircraft like the DO-228. The terminal building spans just 400 sqm, handling only 50 peak hour passengers, and its limited capacity and surrounding urbanization make further expansion unviable for commercial operations.
Strategic Benefits of the Greenfield Airport
- Improved Connectivity: Enhanced air access for students, tourists, and industry stakeholders
- Economic Boost: Stimulates industrial growth, job creation, and regional development
- Decongestion: Helps reduce travel burden on nearby airports like Jaipur and Udaipur
- Capacity Readiness: Prepares the city to handle future air traffic growth efficiently
Government’s Vision for Modern Air Infrastructure
The Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi aligns with the Government’s broader vision under UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) and PM Gati Shakti Master Plan to create world-class, accessible, and future-ready aviation infrastructure across India.
By enabling efficient passenger movement and improving air cargo capabilities, the airport is expected to become a catalyst for socio-economic transformation in southeastern Rajasthan.
