The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has earmarked ₹3,490 crore for the modernisation of air navigation infrastructure across the country between 2026 and 2028, including ₹1,532 crore for automation of air traffic management (ATM) systems, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said the capital outlay would be utilised for upgrading Communication, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure at various airports to meet rising air traffic demand.
“AAI has earmarked a capital outlay of approximately Rs 3,490 crore during the period 2026-2028 for the modernisation of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) infrastructure at various airports across the country.
“Out of the said expenditure, around Rs 1,532 crore pertains to automation of ATM systems across airports,” Mr Mohol said in a written reply.
The remaining funds will be deployed for the upgradation of other CNS/ATM equipment.
Also read: AAI to invest ₹15,000 crore to modernise infrastructure
AAI is the country’s sole Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and is responsible for managing air traffic services in Indian airspace and at airports.
The allocation comes against the backdrop of increasing passenger and aircraft movement. In November last year, a technical glitch in the air traffic control system disrupted flight operations at Delhi airport, underlining the importance of robust and resilient systems.
Separately, AAI has issued a Request for Proposal to the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras to engage it as a consultant to strengthen the cyber security framework of Operational Technology and Information Technology systems at its airports.
The consultancy will cover formulation of cyber security architecture and assessment of manpower requirements for dedicated cyber security verticals within AAI, Mr Mohol said.
He added that AAI conducts recruitment periodically to ensure adequate technical manpower for maintaining operational safety and service continuity.
“During the last three years, recruitment to 2,341 posts in technical roles at the executive level has been conducted by AAI,” the minister said.
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