Dubai: The government will not lease Delhi and Mumbai airports to the same firm when it finalises the leasing of four major airports by the year- end, Civil Aviation Minister Shahnawaz Hussain said.

"We will not hand over both the major airports to the same company in order to avoid a monopoly. But a company that takes Mumbai or Delhi can also be considered for Kolkata or Chennai," Hussain, who is heading an 18-member delegation on a visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Oman and Bahrain, told reporters on May 20.

Top companies operating world class airports like Changi Singapore, Aeroport de Paris, Frankfurt and Belgium had shown keen interest in the Indian offer, he said, adding the issue of ground handling at these airports will be put on hold until a decision is taken on the leasing.

Civil Aviation Director A N Chaturvedi said the ministry will advertise globally inviting "expressions of interest" to shortlist the bidders on the leasing of airports.

The final decision will be made by the end of 2002.

Hussain said the suspension of "visa on arrival" scheme was only temporary and was likely to be reviewed as soon as the security situation improved.

The initial pilot proposal to offer visas to visitors from about 15 countries may be extended to include other countries in course of time, Hussain said.

The delegation, which includes Tourism Ministers from Kerala, Karnataka and Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Chhagan Bhujbal, is visiting the region to promote India as a tourist destination.

PTI