Cabinet Approves ₹1,507 Cr Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi to Boost Connectivity

Due to limited land availability and rapid urbanisation around the existing site, the airport cannot be expanded to handle commercial passenger aircraft.

 

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the proposal of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the development of a Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi in Rajasthan. The project will be taken up at an estimated cost of ₹1,507 crore, marking a major step in strengthening air connectivity in one of Rajasthan’s most prominent economic and educational hubs.

Kota: An Emerging Hub for Industry and Education

Located on the banks of the Chambal River, Kota is widely recognised as the industrial capital of Rajasthan, with thriving sectors such as engineering, chemicals, power generation, and textiles. Beyond its industrial prominence, Kota is also famous nationwide as the “Educational Coaching Hub of India,” attracting lakhs of students every year who come to prepare for competitive examinations.

Given this dual role as an industrial powerhouse and an academic hub, the city has witnessed rising demand for reliable air connectivity. The upcoming airport is expected to directly serve the needs of students, professionals, and industries, while boosting tourism and trade across the region.

Project Details of the Greenfield Airport

The Government of Rajasthan has transferred 440.06 hectares of land to AAI for the project. The new airport will be designed to handle A-321 type aircraft and will include modern facilities to meet the growing passenger demand.

Key features of the airport include:

• Runway: 11/29 with dimensions of 3,200m x 45m, suitable for large commercial aircraft.

• Terminal Building: Spanning 20,000 sqm, with a handling capacity of 1,000 Peak Hour Passengers (PHP) and an annual throughput of 2 million passengers (MPPA).

• Apron: Space for 7 parking bays for A-321 type aircraft.

• Taxiways: Two link taxiways for efficient aircraft movement.

• Support Infrastructure: An ATC cum Technical Block, Fire Station, car park, and allied facilities.

These facilities will make the Kota-Bundi airport a state-of-the-art aviation hub in the region, designed with scalability for future passenger growth.

Limitations of the Existing Kota Airport

Currently, Kota has a small airport under AAI, but its infrastructure is inadequate for modern commercial operations.

• Runway: 08/26, only 1220m x 38m, suitable for small Code ‘B’ aircraft such as DO-228.

• Apron: Can accommodate just two small aircraft.

• Terminal Building: Covers only 400 sqm, with capacity for 50 peak-hour passengers.

Due to limited land availability and rapid urbanisation around the existing site, the airport cannot be expanded to handle commercial passenger aircraft. This makes the construction of the new Greenfield Airport at Kota-Bundi a necessity rather than an option.

Regional and National Impact

The new airport will serve as a critical infrastructure project for the state of Rajasthan. Benefits include:

• Enhanced Air Connectivity: Linking Kota to major metros like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.

• Boost to Education Hub: Easier travel for lakhs of students and their families who come to Kota annually.

• Industrial Growth: Improved logistics for local industries and potential to attract new investment.

• Tourism Development: Facilitating greater tourist inflow to nearby attractions, including Chambal River sites and heritage destinations in Rajasthan.

• Job Creation: Direct employment opportunities during construction and long-term jobs in airport operations, services, and tourism.

Strategic Significance

With Rajasthan already home to major airports in Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur, the Kota-Bundi Greenfield Airport will fill a critical gap in southern Rajasthan’s connectivity. It will reduce travel time, promote regional equity in infrastructure development, and support the central government’s vision of transforming India into a global aviation hub.