The Indian government has approved the privatization of 11 airports, expecting at least ₹8,622 crore in private investment, according to livemint.com. This move comes seven years after the initial privatization of six airports and includes major hubs like Varanasi, Amritsar, and Bhubaneswar. The plan aims to attract infrastructure financing and improve airport operations across the country.
The department of economic affairs granted in-principle approval for this round of airport privatization, which differs from previous efforts by pairing larger or profitable airports with smaller or loss-making ones. This strategy is designed to balance financial viability and operational efficiency. The government hopes this approach will encourage private players to invest and manage these airports effectively, boosting regional connectivity and economic growth.
This privatization effort marks a significant expansion of India's airport privatization program, which began with six airports seven years ago. The ₹8,622 crore investment target reflects the government's push to modernize airport infrastructure and enhance passenger experience. The move aligns with broader infrastructure development goals and is expected to stimulate private sector participation in the aviation sector, similar to earlier successful airport privatizations in India.
The government’s plan to privatize these 11 airports is expected to proceed with formal bidding processes and contract awards in the near term, as detailed by livemint.com. This initiative is part of India’s ongoing efforts to improve its aviation infrastructure and attract substantial private capital investment.