Kannur airport work by year-end

KOCHI: The Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) has initiated the process for the selection of an integrated project consultant for the development of the proposed greenfield airport in Kannur.

It has invited proposals for the appointment of the consultant through open bids. The competitive tendering process is to be completed within two months. The consultant is to be appointed by August-September. The groundbreaking ceremony, which marks the formal beginning of the work, is to be held in December, a top Kinfra official told The Hindu.

The consultant is required to develop the airport from the design to the operational stage. It will have to provide advisory services on technical, financial, operational and other aspects.

Kannur International Airport Limited has been established as a public limited company with 26 per cent equity held by the government and 25 per cent by government-owned entities. The consultant is expected to draft the financial structuring of the project and the mode of private participation will depend on it. The projects authorised capital will be Rs.1,000 crore, the official said.