APA chief D. Sudhakara Reddy feels that this move is not a boon but a bane
Chennai airport
Chennai: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the ministry of civil aviation have decided not to privatise Chennai airport. However, International Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) chief D. Sudhakara Reddy feels that this move is not a boon but a bane and says, “ Every other day Chennai airport is in news for the wrong reason. In terms of passengers, Bangalore has moved way ahead of Chennai airport. As of March 31, they have touched 15.4 million and we are nowhere close to it.
Passenger facilities and maintenance is shoddy and I doubt it will improve.” Chennai Airport had been facing a multitude of problems which included improper maintenance of restrooms, flooding during heavy rains and structural issues such as glass panels falling off. Also, Chennai airport’s old terminal building had always been a problem child for the airport authorities. There were issues with flooring, hygiene, while passengers complained of the distance between the two new terminals.
However, the airport director expressed his happiness on the decision and said, “The uncertainty of almost three years has finally come to a close and I am happy for one reason that a final decision has been taken”. “However, I would have been equally happy had it been handed over to a private company. What matters to me is that a decision has been taken. All the confusion has now gone and we can work normally”, he added.
Stating that they have become the operators of the airport, the airport director said that they would now operate it in their way and invest accordingly. All major projects which got stuck due to the issue of priva tisation, will now be taken up. However, he added that the official conformation in writing was awaited.
Some of the projects that would be focused upon include the runway recarpeting ( since the bitumen has become old), modification of the old terminal, development of the walkalator on the city side. Further plans include setting up a car parking area.
Meanwhile, L George, chief, AAI Employees Union said, “ The written confirmation is yet to arrive. But we are happy with the move & it is a good decision. The burden on passengers in Chennai airport will not be there as there will be no implementation of the user development fund and the airport development fund, that would have otherwise happened if there was a privatisation of the airport.”
It may be recalled here that the AAI employees Union had filed a case against privatization of Chennai airport last year.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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