Tuesday, May 13, 2008

‘Chennai, Kolkata airports modernisation delayed by Plan panel’

‘Chennai, Kolkata airports modernisation delayed by Plan panel’
Our Bureau
New Delhi, May 13 The Ministry of Civil Aviation has said that the modernisation of Chennai and Kolkata airports is being delayed due to the constant objections being raised by the Planning Commission on the scale and size of these airports.
A letter from the Ministry to the Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, points out that the airports are getting delayed despite the Committee on Infrastructure, which is headed by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, having ‘categorically approved’ the projects.
Sources said that the letter was written by the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel.
The communication adds that the plans for the two airports were drawn up keeping in view the needs of the country 10-20 years down the line and also so as not to repeat the past mistakes made at the time of construction of the current IGI airport international terminal in the Capital.
The letter was sent a day after the Deputy Chairman held a review meeting with officials of Delhi Airport Private Ltd (DIAL), the joint venture company set up to manage the modernisation of the airport.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/14/stories/2008051451961000.htm

1 comment:

Subramaniam said...

A similar news item on the Plan Panel's reservations on cost effectiveness of the Chennai Airport expansion plan also appeared in The Hindu today. I feel it is worthwhile petitioning our grievance to the Plan Panel also through http://pgportal.gov.in/

Subramaniam