Delhi-based Jaypee group may partner US-based Houston Airport System (HAS) in its bid to build the proposed airport at Zevar, Greater Noida.
Jaypee Associates executive chairman Manoj Gaur told ET the company was interested in entering airport construction space but didn't give details.
Houston Airport System operates three facilities in Houston: George Bush Intercontinental Airport, William P Hobby Airport, and Ellington Field. The three-airport system served over 51 million passengers in 2006, according to HAS website.
The likelihood, however, of Greater Noida airport as proposed by the UP government is still uncertain as the Centre is still debating its pros and cons. The matter is before the Union Cabinet.
Hyderabad-based infrastructure company GMR, which is leading the group developing the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi, has been opposed to the setting up of a new airport in Greater Noida. It's plea: A new airport hardly 70 km away would divert traffic from IGIA rendering the latter economically unviable.
Jaypee group's plans are not limited to the proposed Greater Noida airport. It plans to bid for airports in other metro and smaller cities as well.
Besides those left behind in the race at winning the contract for modernisation of airports in Delhi and Mumbai a year back, there are several real estate and infrastructure companies which have, of late, shown interest in getting into the business of building airports.
Delhi-based Parsvnath Developers is in the process of tying up with Turkey-based TAV Airport holdings and infrastructure financier IL&FS to bid for Greater Noida Airport. Another Delhi-based real estate player Omaxe too is in negotiations with foreign airport operators to kickstart its airport building venture.
Jaypee group, which is aggressively expanding in cement, real estate, hydro and thermal power, is banking heavily on infrastructure for its growth.
Jaypee Associates' subsidiary Jaypee Infratech is developing six-lane 165 km Taj Expressway between Greater Noida and Agra. It would also develop townships at five locations along the expressway. The group recently diversified into steel with the purchase of Malvika Steel in UP.
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Source: indiatimes
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