UPSC Prelims 2024 Q11: Current Affairs – Indian Government Schemes & Initiatives
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?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only
Explanation
Greenfield vs Brownfield airports
| Type | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Greenfield | Built on a new site with no earlier airport facility |
| Brownfield | Upgrade or expansion of an existing airport |
The three airports:
| Airport | State | Project type | Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donyi Polo Airport, Itanagar | Arunachal Pradesh | Greenfield | Opened November 2022; the state's first greenfield airport |
| Kushinagar International Airport | Uttar Pradesh | Greenfield (as per UPSC key) | Opened October 2021; serves the Buddhist circuit |
| Vijayawada International Airport | Andhra Pradesh | Brownfield | Existing airport at Gannavaram, expanded and upgraded |
The Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008 governs new airports; over 20 have been given in-principle approval.
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Donyi Polo and Kushinagar were built as greenfield projects; Vijayawada was an existing airport.
- (b) Incorrect. Vijayawada (Gannavaram) is an older airport that was upgraded, not built fresh.
- (c) Incorrect. It wrongly includes Vijayawada and leaves out Kushinagar.
- (d) Incorrect. Vijayawada is a brownfield upgrade, so 'all three' fails.
Key point
Greenfield = new site. Donyi Polo (Itanagar, 2022) and Kushinagar (2021) are greenfield; Vijayawada was upgraded.
Remember
Donyi Polo and Kushinagar are greenfield airports; Vijayawada is brownfield.
Common mistakes
- Treating any newly inaugurated terminal as greenfield; greenfield means a new site.
- Forgetting that Donyi Polo means 'Sun and Moon', the traditional faith of Arunachal.
- Mixing up Kushinagar (UP, Buddhist circuit) with Kushalnagar in Karnataka.
Exam tip
Ask: did an airport exist here before? If yes, it is brownfield; if no, greenfield.
Sources
- Ministry of Civil Aviation — Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008
- PIB — Inauguration of Donyi Polo Airport (Nov 2022) and Kushinagar Airport (Oct 2021)