Jewar pact set to be delayed again over international flight curbs

Greater Noida: The signing of the concession agreement for Jewar international airport, without which work can’t start on the ground, is likely to be delayed again.
This is because, officials said, the signatories on behalf of Zurich Airport International AG, the concessionaire, can’t come from abroad by this month due to the Indian government’s ban on international air travel till August 31 in view of the pandemic.
Selected as the concessionaire, Zurich AG had obtained security clearance from the Union home ministry, the last hurdle, on May 19. Originally the deal had to be signed between UP government’s Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) and Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, the special purpose vehicle constituted by Zurich AG, within 45 days of obtaining the security nod, the deadline for which was July 3.
“However, in the wake of flight ban, the deadline was revised to August 17, a 90-day extension. Since restrictions on international flights have been extended till this month-end, we’ll have to revise the deadline,” said an official, who didn’t wish to be named.
With the signing of the agreement, the state government will hand over 1334 hectare land to the concessionaire for development of the airport, the official said.
When contacted, the CEO of Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA), Arun Vir Singh, said that his office had been in touch with Zurich AG and were waiting for their email. “The email will be forwarded to the state government and decision will be taken after discussion with senior officials,” said Singh, also the director of NIAL.