"The original estimates have increased and the modernisation of both the airports is expected to cost about Rs 2,300 crore (Rs 23 billion) each taking the expense to Rs 4,600 crore," Planning Commission sources told PTI.
The modernisation of the two airport projects was approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in August 2008, at a cost of over Rs 3,750 crore (Rs 37.50 billion) and the work was to be completed within three years.
Regarding Delhi's IGI Airport, the sources said the Planning Commission has asked the Civil Aviation Ministry "to ensure completion of the modernisation of Delhi Airport by the middle of next year," ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Sources added the issue of modernisation had come up during a meeting to review the implementation of the decisions of high-powered Committee on Infrastructure, headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, earlier this month.
Although the projects are likely to cost more, the work is likely to be completed within stipulated time, sources said when asked about the delays in execution of upgrade work, without specifying the reasons for the cost escalation.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI), which is implementing the projects, has informed the CoI that work has started on modernisation of the two airports, they added.
After completion of the projects, the two airports will be at par with those at Delhi and Mumbai. Praful Patel, who was the Civil Aviation Minister then, had approved the modernisation schemes.
The upgrade plans for both the airports include building of new domestic and international terminal buildings, extension of secondary runways and building of taxiways.
"The AAI can create these two airports into models and compete with the private sector to develop world-class airports. They can even compete in the international arena," Patel had said.
As per the original plan, Kolkata airport was to be modernised at an estimated cost of Rs 1,942.51 crore (Rs 19.42 billion), while the estimate for Chennai airport's upgrade was pegged at Rs 1,808 crore (Rs 18.08 billion).
The deadlines for completion of the Kolkata and Chennai airports was 30 months and 26 months respectively, from the dates of award of the contracts.
