The Indian Government has rejected a request from GMR to change the role of the airport's 250-acre special economic zone (SEZ) from strictly aviation to multi-product use on the basis on a technicality.

According to the Press Trust Of India, the decision was taken last month by commerce secrectary Rahul Khullar, who heads the government's Board of Approval, on the grounds that the SEZ is required to have a minimum land area of 1,000 hectares for a change of use, an the official said.

It is not yet clear if GMR will appeal the decision. The SEZ is part of a 1,000 aertropolis being developed by GMR around the airport.

By Oliver Clark