The new project consultant for the Kannur international airport has started reviewing the detailed project report prepared for the fourth airport proposed in the State.
The review of the report was included in the scope of work when Kannur International Airport Ltd. (KIAL), formed by the State government to build and operate the airport, floated tenders for appointing a new project consultant after the consultancy agreement of August 17 with Mumbai-based STUP Consultants Private Ltd. was cancelled for violation of the request-for-proposal conditions.
KIAL sources told The Hindu that the new project consultant — a consortium led by the Hong-Kong-based AECOM Asia Private Ltd. and including AECOM India Private Ltd. and CRISIL — that bagged the bid for Rs. 13.8 crore had started work from the site of the proposed airport at Mattannur. Cochin International Airport Ltd. (CIAL) had prepared the detailed project report.
The review assumes significance as the KIAL had asked the CIAL in May to revise the report as aviation experts pointed out over a dozen technical flaws.
They cited cost escalation likely to come up in view of earthwork, laying a second parallel runway and providing access to the airport from the Kannur-Mysore road. Later, the CIAL submitted the final report.
AECOM, global provider of technical and support services to airport owners, investors and aviation clients, came ahead of the Spain-based consortium INECCO in bagging the contract.
The experience of AECOM in programme and construction management extending to all aspects of aviation is expected to aid the development of the Kannur airport.
AECOM has been involved in many major works in the aviation sector, including development of Los Angeles International Airport, O’Hare International Airport in Chicago and John F. Kennedy International Airport’s American Airlines Terminal Redevelopment Programme. The project consultant will finalise and freeze the master plan, KIAL sources said.
The consortium led by STUP Consultants won the bid for Rs.14.5 crore.
