Question map
Consider the following airports : 1. Donyi Polo Airport 2. Kushinagar International Airport 3. Vijayawada International Airport In the recent past, which of the above have been constructed as Greenfield projects ?
Explanation
The correct answer is option A (1 and 2 only).
Donyi Polo Airport was constructed as a greenfield project at the cost of more than 640 crore rupees[1], and it is the first greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh[2]. Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh has received 'In-Principle' approval as a Greenfield Airport project[3], indicating it was constructed as a greenfield project.
However, Vijayawada International Airport was not constructed as a greenfield project. Vijayawada Airport (also known as Gannavaram Airport) is an existing airport that has been operational for decades and has undergone expansions and upgrades, but it was not built from scratch as a greenfield project. A greenfield airport refers to an airport built on previously undeveloped land, which applies to Donyi Polo and Kushinagar, but not to Vijayawada.
Therefore, only airports 1 and 2 were constructed as greenfield projects, making option A the correct answer.
SourcesPROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'News-to-Policy' question. While Donyi Polo and Kushinagar were headline-grabbers (PIB/The Hindu), the real test was identifying the 'trap' option (Vijayawada). The strategy is not just knowing *what* opened, but *how* it was built (Greenfield Policy 2008 vs. AAI upgrade). Standard books define the concept; newspapers provide the specific examples.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: Was Donyi Polo Airport (an airport in Arunachal Pradesh, India) constructed as a Greenfield airport project?
- Statement 2: Was Kushinagar International Airport (an airport in Uttar Pradesh, India) constructed as a Greenfield airport project?
- Statement 3: Was Vijayawada International Airport (an airport in Andhra Pradesh, India) constructed as a Greenfield airport project?
- Explicitly refers to Donyi Polo Airport as the first greenfield project.
- Provides a direct statement linking the airport's construction type to 'greenfield'.
- States that the airport is the first of its kind in Arunachal Pradesh in the context of greenfield airports.
- Names Donyi Polo Airport (Hollongi) and places it within a greenfield-airport discussion.
- Lists Donyi Polo Airport among 'Operational Greenfield Airports in India'.
- Positions the airport within an enumerated list of greenfield facilities, implying its greenfield status.
Lists several 'greenfield airports in the pipeline' and explicitly names 'Itanagar' among them — Itanagar is the city served by Donyi Polo Airport.
A student could connect the named item 'Itanagar' to Donyi Polo Airport (served city) via a map or basic fact that Donyi Polo is the airport for Itanagar, suggesting it was planned as a greenfield project.
New Aviation Policy 2016 calls for 'Fifty new airports' in addition to existing ones, indicating government policy driving construction of new (often greenfield) airports.
A student could check whether Donyi Polo was one of the new airports promoted after 2016, using the policy's timeframe and lists of projects.
Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS/UDAN) intends development of ~450 airports/airstrips and 'construction of new airports', showing a programmatic push for building new (likely greenfield or no‑frills) airports.
One could match Donyi Polo's operationalization date or scheme participation with UDAN/RCS project lists to infer if it was built as a new airport.
NCERT notes that since 2017 under UDAN a number of previously unserved/underserved airports were operationalized, giving an example of many new airport projects being activated recently.
A student could use Donyi Polo's commission year relative to 2017 and UDAN activations to judge whether it was a newly constructed (greenfield) facility.
States a general rule: greenfield airport development often faces major land‑acquisition challenges — a characteristic feature of greenfield projects.
A student could look for records of land acquisition issues or large land requirements in reports about Donyi Polo to see if it matches typical greenfield patterns.
- The passage explicitly lists Kushinagar among airports granted 'In-Principle' approval as Greenfield Airport projects by MoCA.
- Being included in that MoCA list indicates Kushinagar was designated/planned as a Greenfield airport project.
This snippet gives a concrete list of Indian 'greenfield airports' under pipeline (examples include Jewar and Hisar in UP/Haryana), establishing that some new airports in the region are explicitly categorized as greenfield projects.
A student could check whether Kushinagar appears on such official greenfield project lists (national/state documents or news) or compare its development history with that of listed greenfield examples like Jewar.
This note identifies land acquisition as the key challenge for greenfield airport projects and cites Jewar and Hisar as notable examples—showing a pattern of how greenfield airports arise and the issues that accompany them.
A student could investigate whether Kushinagar involved large-scale land acquisition or faced similar public protests/compensation issues, which would be typical for greenfield construction.
The Regional Connectivity Scheme excerpt describes a government strategy to construct new airports (including 'no frills' airports) and to develop many dormant airstrips—establishing that the government actively pursues new airport construction programs.
Using this pattern, a student could look for Kushinagar in RCS/UDAN project lists or annual ministry releases to see if it was created as a new (greenfield) airport versus upgraded from an existing airstrip.
The new aviation policy (2016) calls for fifty new airports by 2019, indicating a policy-era push for constructing fresh airports rather than only upgrading existing ones.
A student could check whether Kushinagar's establishment coincides with post-2016 'new airport' initiatives (timing and policy references) to infer if it was likely a greenfield project.
AAI's role in creating/upgrading/managing airports and the legal framework for privatization (amendment in 2003) provides a governance pattern—new airports can be built by state agencies or through PPP models.
A student could determine whether Kushinagar was developed directly by AAI, a state agency, or via PPP/EPC—if constructed anew by AAI/under a new project, that supports it being greenfield.
Lists specific airports that were explicitly described as 'greenfield airports in the pipeline', showing a pattern where new city airports were often developed as greenfield projects.
A student could compare that list of planned greenfield projects with a list or map of Andhra Pradesh airports (or a timeline for Vijayawada) to see if Vijayawada appears among projects described as greenfield.
States a government policy objective to construct 'Fifty new airports' and to develop new airports/airstrips, indicating a broader national push to build new (likely greenfield) airports.
A student could use the policy’s target list and dates to check whether Vijayawada’s airport project was part of the 'new airports' program rather than an upgrade of an existing facility.
Describes the Regional Connectivity Scheme’s emphasis on developing and constructing new 'no frills' airports and developing dormant airstrips, indicating that many new-build airport projects were undertaken at state/central initiative.
A student could see whether Vijayawada’s airport development was framed as a new-build under such schemes (new/no-frills) or as modernization of an existing airfield.
Highlights land acquisition as a key and distinctive challenge for greenfield airport projects, citing Jewar and Hisar as examples where acquiring large land tracts was notable.
A student could investigate whether Vijayawada’s airport involved substantial new land acquisition (a hallmark of greenfield projects) versus reusing existing airport land.
Explains that AAI manages many airports and that some airports are 'given to private parties to build, operate & maintain', indicating projects can be either new-builds or PPP-managed upgrades.
A student could check whether Vijayawada’s airport was developed as a new-build PPP or was an AAI upgrade of an existing facility, which helps infer greenfield vs brownfield.
- [THE VERDICT]: Moderate. Donyi Polo and Kushinagar were high-decibel current affairs, but Vijayawada requires historical awareness or elimination logic. Source: PIB/Ministry of Civil Aviation Annual Reports.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Infrastructure > Aviation Sector > Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008 (New Construction vs. Expansion).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the '21 Greenfield Airports' approved list (e.g., Mopa/Manohar (Goa), Sindhudurg, Shirdi, Pakyong, Kannur, Kalaburagi, Jewar). Contrast these with major Brownfield upgrades (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Vijayawada).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When reading about an inauguration, apply the 'Construction Filter': Is this brand new land (Greenfield) or just a new terminal on an old airstrip (Brownfield)? The UPSC examiner filters news by these policy definitions.
Distinguishing greenfield new-airport projects from upgrades of existing airports is central to deciding whether a specific airport was constructed as greenfield.
High-yield for questions on airport infrastructure: many policy texts and reports list proposed greenfield airports separately from existing-airport expansions. Mastering this helps answer questions about land acquisition, planning challenges, and lists of new projects. Connects to land policy, regional development and project appraisal in infrastructure topics.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 20: Investment Models > Airports and PPP > p. 590
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) > p. 424
Many new and redeveloped airports are delivered via PPP arrangements, which affects who builds and finances a project.
Important for questions on infrastructure financing and institutional mechanisms: knowing PPP variants, examples and their implications helps analyze airport projects' feasibility and ownership. Links to topics on privatization, investment models, and sectoral case studies.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 20: Investment Models > Airports and PPP > p. 590
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 20: Investment Models > Basic features of PPP models. > p. 587
Understanding AAI's mandate clarifies when an airport is built/managed by the state versus privatized or newly constructed.
Useful for administrative and policy questions: AAI's ownership, management and amendment history explain how airports are created, upgraded and handed over. Connects to governance, central-state roles, and public-sector enterprise questions in the civils syllabus.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > 14.9 Airports > p. 422
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Airports Authority of India > p. 30
Distinguishing newly built (greenfield) airports from expansions of existing ones is central to classifying Kushinagar’s construction type.
UPSC questions often probe infrastructure classification and project planning; mastering this helps answer queries about project nature, funding, and land requirements. It links to topics on regional development, transport planning and policy.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 20: Investment Models > Airports and PPP > p. 590
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) > p. 424
Many new airports are developed or managed under public–private partnership arrangements rather than solely by AAI.
Understanding PPP structures (JV, BOT, EPC) is high-yield for questions on infrastructure financing and governance; it connects civil aviation policy, public investment strategy and privatization debates.
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > Case Study of Delhi Airport: > p. 423
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 20: Investment Models > Basic features of PPP models. > p. 587
- Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > 14.9 Airports > p. 422
Land acquisition difficulties are a primary practical hurdle in creating new airports, directly affecting greenfield project feasibility and timelines.
Questions on infrastructure often involve socio-political and legal challenges like land acquisition; mastering this concept aids answers on project delays, compensation issues and state–center coordination.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 20: Investment Models > However, challenges for airport development through PPP are: > p. 591
Greenfield projects are new airports built on previously undeveloped land and represent a distinct category when planning new airport infrastructure.
High-yield: questions often ask to classify infrastructure projects or discuss policy implications of new vs existing-site development. Connects to land requirements, planning, and the government's target for building new airports. Mastery helps in answering demand‑side and supply‑side policy questions on aviation expansion.
- Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 20: Investment Models > Airports and PPP > p. 590
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > New Aviation Policy 2016 > p. 34
The '21 Greenfield Airports' list is the source. The next logical question is on the **Greenfield Airports Policy 2008** rules: specifically that **100% FDI is allowed under the automatic route** for Greenfield airports, whereas Brownfield has different caps/approvals.
Use the **'Old City' Heuristic**: Vijayawada is a historic commercial hub in Andhra. Airports in such established Tier-2 cities (like Madurai, Coimbatore, Vijayawada) are almost always British-era airstrips upgraded over decades (Brownfield). Greenfield airports usually have distinct new names (Donyi Polo, Jewar) or are located in satellite towns (Shamshabad, Devanahalli).
Connect to **Mains GS-2 (IR) & GS-3 (Security)**: Kushinagar is **Buddhist Diplomacy** (Soft Power) connecting India to SE Asia. Donyi Polo is **Strategic Dual-Use Infrastructure** near the China border (Arunachal), reinforcing sovereignty claims.