Changi Airports International has announced its decision to expand its presence in Indian airport development programs, forming joint venture with more Indian companies. The firm had earlier acquired 26 per cent stakes, worth $20, in Bengal Aerotropolis Pvt Ltd (BAPL).

Wong Woon Liong, Chief Executive Officer of Changi, said: "We are always open to opportunities for investment." The company has made the bid along with Tata real Estate and Leela Group, for developing airports in Karnataka and Kerla.

The firm expects to generate good revenue from the country's first aerotropolis-airport project worth $2.5 billion.

CAI will provide technical and management services to the airport project through a technical service agreement (TSA), and an operation and management agreement
(OMA) for developing Durgapur Airport. It will help in short-listing construction consultants, reviewing the infrastructure designing of the Air Port, and extending help for other preparations to roll out operations at the airport.

Partho Ghosh, Director of BAPL, said: "We have already started acquiring the land and hope to start construction by the first quarter of 2010."

Meanwhile, Subrata Paul, Chief Executive Officer and Director of BAPL, said that some other aviation firms, such as Air India, have also shown interest in the project, and BAPL will decide about incorporating such firms after starting the construction on the airport.