GMR Airports, GVK Group, Tata Realty, Essel, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd, Siemens Postal Parcel and Airport Logistics Private Lte, International Business Development Flughafen, Zurich, Flemingo Duty Free Shop Pvt Ltd and Cochin International Airport have shown an interest in taking part in the modernisation of four airports, including Chennai and Kolkata.

Jaipur and Ahmedabad are the other airports which the Government plans to hand over to the private sector for modernisation.

At the first pre-bid meeting held here on Wednesday, representatives of some of the companies interested in bidding for these airports wanted the 30-year concession period to be extended further. Sources told BusinessLine that the representatives of GMR and GVK were keen that airport experience be made a must for those planning to participate in the modernisation of the four airports.

There was also a request that the final number of companies shortlisted for each airport be increased from six, which is the set norm at present.

Officials from the Airports Authority of India and other agencies present at the meeting will soon respond to each of the queries raised at the meeting, a senior AAI official said.

While March-end has been set as the deadline for companies to put in their bids to qualify for participating in the modernisation process, at the moment there is no time line when the process of handing over the four airports will be completed.

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