**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer from the Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation to the Lok Sabha regarding the "Airports under Viksit Bharat Objective" question. The question, addressed on December 18, 2025, explores the strategic vision for increasing the number of airports in India by 2047 and the initiatives related to greenfield airports, indigenous manufacturing, sustainable aviation, and airport development coordination. The document outlines the government's plans and policies in these areas.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Viksit Bharat Objective & Airport Development:**
* Developing and operationalizing airports, including greenfield projects, is a strategic initiative to achieve Viksit Bharat.
* The initiative aims to foster inclusive economic growth, regional connectivity, and link remote areas with markets.
* Major greenfield airports like Navi Mumbai International Airport are expected to drive industrial and urban development.
* **Indigenous Manufacturing & MRO Sector:**
* The government promotes an aircraft manufacturing ecosystem under the "Make in India" initiative.
* Various initiatives boost indigenous manufacturing and the MRO sector, including GST rate rationalisation and amendments to the Visa Manual for foreign pilots and crew.
* **Sustainable Aviation:**
* 93 airports have switched to 100% green energy use.
* Four airports (Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru) have achieved the highest Carbon Accreditation Level 5 and are Carbon neutral.
* Indicative blending targets for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are set at 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028, and 5% by 2030 in traditional aviation fuel.
* **Greenfield Airport Policy:**
* The Government of India has formulated a Greenfield Airport Policy for developing airports.
* Project proponents, including State Governments or private parties, must submit proposals to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
* MoCA considers proposals in consultation with departments/organizations and the concerned State Government before granting approvals.
* Project funding for Greenfield airport development is the responsibility of the project proponent or State Government.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders: Citizens and Remote Areas**
* **Impact:** The development of airports will increase connectivity to national and global markets, boosting tourism and trade, and generating employment.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned in the document.
**Stakeholders: Industry and Economy**
* **Impact:** The strategic vision for increased airports and support for indigenous manufacturing will impact the economy with further development.
* **Action Required:** None explicitly mentioned in the document.
**Stakeholders: Airport Developers (State Governments and Private Parties)**
* **Impact:** The policy dictates the process for proposing, developing, and funding Greenfield airport projects.
* **Action Required:** Submit proposals to MoCA, secure funding, and coordinate with relevant departments/organizations and the State Government.
**Stakeholders: Airports International Council**
* **Impact:** Meeting of Carbon Accreditation Level 5 will further help support aviation and sustainability.
* **Action Required:** Meet Carbon Accreditation Level 5 requirements.
Key Entities Referenced
Viksit Bharat: A national objective for India's development, aiming for comprehensive growth and regional connectivity.
Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA): The central government ministry responsible for the development of airports and aviation sector in India.
Greenfield Airport Policy: A policy by the Government of India for the development of new airports across the country.
Navi Mumbai International Airport: A major greenfield airport project in India, expected to drive industrial development in the surrounding regions.
Make in India: Government initiative to boost indigenous manufacturing
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3208
( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18th December 2025 )
AIRPORTS UNDER VIKSIT BHARAT OBJECTIVE
3208. SHRI SHRIRANG APPA CHANDU BARNE
SMT BHARTI PARDHI
DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE
SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE
SHRI RAVINDRA DATTARAM WAIKAR
Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION
be pleased to state:-
(a) the strategic vision behind the goal to increase the total number of airports to 350-400 by
2047 in the country and the manner in which this target would integrate with Viksit Bharat
national objective;
(b) the manner in which the targeted operationalisation of major new greenfield airports such
as the Navi Mumbai International Airport would speed up industrial development in
surrounding areas;
(c) the specific initiatives being undertaken to boost indigenous manufacturing and the
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) sector under the "Make in India" and
"Atmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives with a view to reduce dependence on foreign services;
(d) the manner in which the Government is focusing on sustainable aviation including the
adoption of hundred percent green energy at over eighty airports and the push for Sustainable
Aviation Fuel (SAF) production positioning India as a global leader in environmentally
responsible aviation; and
(e) the manner in which the Union Government would coordinate with State Governments
and private stakeholders to finance and develop new airports across the country?
ANSWER
Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)
(a) & (b):The development and operationalisation of airports, including greenfield projects, is
a strategic initiative to achieve Viksit Bharat by fostering inclusive economic growth and
regional connectivity. It will link remote areas with national and global markets, boost
tourism and trade, enhance logistics, and generate employment. Major greenfield airports,
such as Navi Mumbai International Airport, are expected to drive industrial and urban
development in surrounding regions by improving connectivity, enabling industrial corridors
and logistics hubs, and attracting investment.(c): The Government of India has been promoting an aircraft manufacturing ecosystem,
including regional transport aircraft and associated equipment, under the Make in India
initiative.
Government of India has taken various initiatives to boost indigenous manufacturing and
MRO sector in the country, such as GST rate rationalisation, abolition of royalties,
amendments to the Visa Manual for foreign pilots and crew engaged in MRO services,
extension in relevant timelines of the export period for goods imported for repairs and of re-
import of goods for repairs under warranty.
;;
(d): At present, a total of 93 airports in the country have switched over to 100% green energy
use. The four (04) airports in the country namely Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru
have achieved the highest Carbon Accreditation Level 5 of Airports International Council
(ACI) and have become Carbon neutral. The Government has approved indicative blending
targets of 1% by 2027, 2% by 2028 and 5% by 2030 for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in
Traditional Aviation Fuel, initially for international flights.;;
;;
(e): Government of India has formulated a Greenfield Airport Policy for development of
Greenfield Airports across the country. As per the Policy, the project proponent including
State Government or Private party proposing to set up an airport are required to submit
proposal to Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA). The proposal along with various aspects of
the project is considered by MoCA in consultation with various Departments/Organizations
and the concerned State Government and thereafter, approvals are granted to the project.
Further, as per the policy, the responsibility for development of the Greenfield airport
projects including project funding lies with the project proponent or the State Government, as
the case may be.
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