The newly appointed Minister of State for Civil Aviation has indicated that the Government will look to change the existing rule of a second airport not being allowed within 150 km from an existing airport.

Speaking to media after taking charge, Mahesh Sharma said that there is a need to have an international airport in the National Capital Region.

"The new airport project in Jewar in Noida is an important project. The project has to be discussed in the wider interest of the nation. This airport is not a project of Mayawati or Mualayam Singh but of India."

The proposal for a new international airport was first mooted by Rajnath Singh in 2001. The coming up of new airport will be against the existing policy as it is less than 150 km from the airport in Delhi.

Sharma said over 2,378 acres have been acquired for the airport in Jewar and there is more land available if needed. Mahesh added that the proposal for a new airport in Jewar will be discussed within the Ministry, and the Prime Minister before it moves forward.

He pointed out that the infrastructure in Delhi is not able to cope and thus a new airport close to the capital will help in this regard.

Airport director shifted

Addressing the media, the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Gajapathi Raju, said that the airport director in Surat had been shifted out following a buffalo hitting a SpiceJet aircraft taxing for take off on a flight to Delhi. The aircraft had over 140 passengers. The Minister said the shifting of the airport director was not a punishment.

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