Thursday, July 12, 2007
Residents air grievances over airport expansion project
Manapakkam people want their houses to be saved
MLA says efforts are on to mitigate their agony
KANCHEEPURAM: A group of people, accompanied by Sriperumpudur MLA D.Yasodha, made a representation to Collector Pradeep Yadav on Wednesday, asking him to take measures to ensure that their dwelling units at Manapakkam were not disturbed while implementing the Chennai airport expansion project.
They pointed out that several of them, who have retired from defence, civil, professional and other government services, had invested their hard-earned money in the housing project which was promoted by a Kilpauk-based real estate company during 2003-04.
The residents urged the Collector to suggest some modifications in the expansion project proposed by the Airports Authority of India.
They wanted their dwelling units, constructed at a cost of Rs.15 lakh to Rs.30 lakh, to be saved from demolition.
“Runway may be unused”
They said that the NAAI had rejected thrice the suggestion to acquire lands from Manapakkam, Tharapakkam, Kolapakkam and Gerugembakkam for the project on the ground that the soil condition was not suitable.
But they wondered how the Airports Authority of India had given its consent now.
The runway to be laid in the area to be acquired after demolishing a part of their township was not going to be used for landing of flights.
The residents said enquiries, made by them with officials concerned, had revealed that the proposed extension of runway would remain unused, once greenfield airport came up near Sriperumpudur.
Technical alterations
Since the expansion project was going to be a temporary add-on facility for the infrastructure at the Chennai airport, they pleaded that suitable technical alterations in the runway sketch be considered.
Another 100-odd families have booked their individual villas, each costing around Rs.50 lakh to Rs.65 lakh, with the same promoter, who had obtained clearance for the second phase of the housing project in the same area from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in March 2006, the people said.
The CMDA, in its letter, had said the proposed site for the second phase of housing project was “not affected as per the latest list”.
But the entire second-phase area had now been notified for land acquisition for the airport expansion project, they lamented.
Lands identified
Talking to reporters later, Ms. Yasodha said efforts had been made to mitigate the mental agony of the residents of Manapakkam township and that the Government had now identified suitable lands at Manapakkam itself instead of relocating the people to Manimangalam.
Assurance
Meanwhile, enquiries reveal that the District Collector had assured that necessary steps would be initiated to redress the residents’ grievances.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/12/stories/2007071260070500.htm
MLA says efforts are on to mitigate their agony
KANCHEEPURAM: A group of people, accompanied by Sriperumpudur MLA D.Yasodha, made a representation to Collector Pradeep Yadav on Wednesday, asking him to take measures to ensure that their dwelling units at Manapakkam were not disturbed while implementing the Chennai airport expansion project.
They pointed out that several of them, who have retired from defence, civil, professional and other government services, had invested their hard-earned money in the housing project which was promoted by a Kilpauk-based real estate company during 2003-04.
The residents urged the Collector to suggest some modifications in the expansion project proposed by the Airports Authority of India.
They wanted their dwelling units, constructed at a cost of Rs.15 lakh to Rs.30 lakh, to be saved from demolition.
“Runway may be unused”
They said that the NAAI had rejected thrice the suggestion to acquire lands from Manapakkam, Tharapakkam, Kolapakkam and Gerugembakkam for the project on the ground that the soil condition was not suitable.
But they wondered how the Airports Authority of India had given its consent now.
The runway to be laid in the area to be acquired after demolishing a part of their township was not going to be used for landing of flights.
The residents said enquiries, made by them with officials concerned, had revealed that the proposed extension of runway would remain unused, once greenfield airport came up near Sriperumpudur.
Technical alterations
Since the expansion project was going to be a temporary add-on facility for the infrastructure at the Chennai airport, they pleaded that suitable technical alterations in the runway sketch be considered.
Another 100-odd families have booked their individual villas, each costing around Rs.50 lakh to Rs.65 lakh, with the same promoter, who had obtained clearance for the second phase of the housing project in the same area from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in March 2006, the people said.
The CMDA, in its letter, had said the proposed site for the second phase of housing project was “not affected as per the latest list”.
But the entire second-phase area had now been notified for land acquisition for the airport expansion project, they lamented.
Lands identified
Talking to reporters later, Ms. Yasodha said efforts had been made to mitigate the mental agony of the residents of Manapakkam township and that the Government had now identified suitable lands at Manapakkam itself instead of relocating the people to Manimangalam.
Assurance
Meanwhile, enquiries reveal that the District Collector had assured that necessary steps would be initiated to redress the residents’ grievances.
Link:http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/12/stories/2007071260070500.htm
Two sites in focus for greenfield airport
CHENNAI: Two sites near Chennai are under the active consideration of the State Government for the greenfield airport, according to an official source.
Alamadi village, north of Chennai, and Sunguvarchattram near Sriperumbudur are the two sites for the new airport. Alamadi village is about 8 km from Red Hills and 30 km northwest of Chennai. One of the reasons for considering this location for the project is the site’s proximity to the proposed Outer Ring Road. In the case of Sunguvarchattram, it is close to the Chennai–Bangalore highway.
The other important criterion for considering these two sites for evaluation is the presence of large tracts of government land.
According to the source, the Government is keen to avoid acquisition problems. Other places in and around Sriperumbudur are fraught with acquisition issues since most of them are patta lands.
Alamadi village, north of Chennai, and Sunguvarchattram near Sriperumbudur are the two sites for the new airport. Alamadi village is about 8 km from Red Hills and 30 km northwest of Chennai. One of the reasons for considering this location for the project is the site’s proximity to the proposed Outer Ring Road. In the case of Sunguvarchattram, it is close to the Chennai–Bangalore highway.
The other important criterion for considering these two sites for evaluation is the presence of large tracts of government land.
According to the source, the Government is keen to avoid acquisition problems. Other places in and around Sriperumbudur are fraught with acquisition issues since most of them are patta lands.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Message in Hindu
He said the government was firm in its stand that the expansion and modernisation of Chennai Airport should not be given to the private sector.
Click here for full news:
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200706160921.htm
Click here for full news:
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200706160921.htm
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Mesage in Hindustan Times
The Ministry of Civil Aviation shouldn’t have have any problems in giving the nod to the techno-economic feasibility study report prepared by the Uttar Pradesh government for setting up Delhi’s second international greenfield airport at Greater Noida.
The proposed airport project spread across 1,500 hectares would cost over Rs. 3,500 crore and will hopefully put two other second-airport projects — the Rs 9,000-crore Navi Mumbai airport project, and Chennai’s greenfield airport in Sriperumbudur — on a fast track.
This couldn’t have come sooner as recent studies show that Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Amritsar will each need another airport in the next ten years. Most metros will reach saturation point by 2010, while others will become saturated by 2015.
Thus when the two greenfield airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad become operational next year, they will apparently be just in time to ease the load on the existing airports. It appears that Kolkata airport, too, needs a second airport by 2010, never mind the cosmetic changes being made by the Airports Authority of India to modernise it.
It is ironic that the spurt in domestic aviation reveals such a complete lack of planning by civil aviation authorities to offer an appropriate response. This is most evident in the limited infrastructure at airports — the biggest hurdle before the growth of the industry — that compel aircraft to take, on average, seven times longer to take off than elsewhere in the world. Many airports have limited landing and parking slots during peak hours, and overcrowded terminals where passengers struggle to wade through check-in and security screening. Limited manpower and under-utilisation of available equipment make matters worse.
Therefore, till the new airports become operational, authorities should focus on sprucing up the existing ones. Even simple methods like using chemicals to remove rubber deposits (from wheels during touchdown) on runways, and strengthening pavements of the taxiways and the apron to avoid frequent maintenance, could go a long way in augmenting the existing infrastructure.
Link:http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=2c40dc20-f039-4563-a3a2-66d3b97d8d58&&Headline=Not+off+the+ground
The proposed airport project spread across 1,500 hectares would cost over Rs. 3,500 crore and will hopefully put two other second-airport projects — the Rs 9,000-crore Navi Mumbai airport project, and Chennai’s greenfield airport in Sriperumbudur — on a fast track.
This couldn’t have come sooner as recent studies show that Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Nagpur, Ahmedabad and Amritsar will each need another airport in the next ten years. Most metros will reach saturation point by 2010, while others will become saturated by 2015.
Thus when the two greenfield airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad become operational next year, they will apparently be just in time to ease the load on the existing airports. It appears that Kolkata airport, too, needs a second airport by 2010, never mind the cosmetic changes being made by the Airports Authority of India to modernise it.
It is ironic that the spurt in domestic aviation reveals such a complete lack of planning by civil aviation authorities to offer an appropriate response. This is most evident in the limited infrastructure at airports — the biggest hurdle before the growth of the industry — that compel aircraft to take, on average, seven times longer to take off than elsewhere in the world. Many airports have limited landing and parking slots during peak hours, and overcrowded terminals where passengers struggle to wade through check-in and security screening. Limited manpower and under-utilisation of available equipment make matters worse.
Therefore, till the new airports become operational, authorities should focus on sprucing up the existing ones. Even simple methods like using chemicals to remove rubber deposits (from wheels during touchdown) on runways, and strengthening pavements of the taxiways and the apron to avoid frequent maintenance, could go a long way in augmenting the existing infrastructure.
Link:http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=2c40dc20-f039-4563-a3a2-66d3b97d8d58&&Headline=Not+off+the+ground
Message in NDTV
Paintings by Chennai airport director Dinesh Kumar are attracting art lovers. Many say art creations of this high flying officer inspire them to aim high.
With the Cabinet having cleared the proposal to expand the Chennai airport and construct another greenfield airport you would probably imagine that Kumar would be grounded with work.
On the other hand the official has been able to balance his passion with profession.''If you have the interest in art, you will get time for that. That's what I have done. When others would pass time in a different way I have tried to use it for art,'' said Dinesh Kumar.There were mainly government and airline officials who turned up at the exhibition.''It inspires to think that there is no limit and you can go on and on,'' said a woman visitor.
While the Chennai airport expansion plan is likely to see more protests, the airport director may have to be prepared for more showdowns rather than his one-man show.
Link:http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070016954&ch=6/28/2007%2012:53:00%20PM
With the Cabinet having cleared the proposal to expand the Chennai airport and construct another greenfield airport you would probably imagine that Kumar would be grounded with work.
On the other hand the official has been able to balance his passion with profession.''If you have the interest in art, you will get time for that. That's what I have done. When others would pass time in a different way I have tried to use it for art,'' said Dinesh Kumar.There were mainly government and airline officials who turned up at the exhibition.''It inspires to think that there is no limit and you can go on and on,'' said a woman visitor.
While the Chennai airport expansion plan is likely to see more protests, the airport director may have to be prepared for more showdowns rather than his one-man show.
Link:http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20070016954&ch=6/28/2007%2012:53:00%20PM
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Plea for exemption from land acquisition
CHENNAI: Around 350 families, which had booked independent houses for an amount anywhere between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 50 lakh at the EVP Township in Tharapakkam, have requested the district administration to exempt the property from being acquired for airport expansion. Most of the families, which had already invested Rs 10 lakh as initial instalment, are uncertain about the future.
Meanwhile, the builder stopped construction on learning that the land fell under the survey number listed for acquisition for airport expansion.
In a letter to the District Collector of Kancheepuram, the families have requested the administration to avoid acquiring lands where residential projects are coming up.
According to the builder, the project was started in 2005 and stopped when the then state government decided to acquire the land for airport expansion. But, when the airport project was dropped, the builder went ahead with the project after receiving a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) in March 2006.
The NOC says that survey numbers 520/1 of Gerugambakkam village and survey numbers 20/1 to 65 of Tharapakkam village ‘‘are not affected by the proposed international airport as per the latest list.’’
Based on this, the EVP township, comprising 387 houses, were marketed and sold. Of the total houses, 184 are under construction, while 80 to 90 are nearing completion.
Tamilselvan, who had booked a house in the township, said that most of the people had taken bank loans and the government decision to acquire land made the banks stop release of the loan amount.‘‘But, we are forced to pay the interest instalments for the money already received and handed over to the builder,’’ he added.
Using the initial payment from the families, the EVP had built a compound wall, drainage network, etc, on the site.
Kalyanaraman, who had booked a house in June 2006, said that the district administration was not providing a clear picture on whether the land would be acquired or exempted.‘‘How come the state government decided to acquire land for airport expansion after issuing planning permits,’’ the residents asked.
The families met the builder on Saturday to discuss further course of action to save their property and savings ‘stuck’ in the project.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070624170322&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
Meanwhile, the builder stopped construction on learning that the land fell under the survey number listed for acquisition for airport expansion.
In a letter to the District Collector of Kancheepuram, the families have requested the administration to avoid acquiring lands where residential projects are coming up.
According to the builder, the project was started in 2005 and stopped when the then state government decided to acquire the land for airport expansion. But, when the airport project was dropped, the builder went ahead with the project after receiving a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) in March 2006.
The NOC says that survey numbers 520/1 of Gerugambakkam village and survey numbers 20/1 to 65 of Tharapakkam village ‘‘are not affected by the proposed international airport as per the latest list.’’
Based on this, the EVP township, comprising 387 houses, were marketed and sold. Of the total houses, 184 are under construction, while 80 to 90 are nearing completion.
Tamilselvan, who had booked a house in the township, said that most of the people had taken bank loans and the government decision to acquire land made the banks stop release of the loan amount.‘‘But, we are forced to pay the interest instalments for the money already received and handed over to the builder,’’ he added.
Using the initial payment from the families, the EVP had built a compound wall, drainage network, etc, on the site.
Kalyanaraman, who had booked a house in June 2006, said that the district administration was not providing a clear picture on whether the land would be acquired or exempted.‘‘How come the state government decided to acquire land for airport expansion after issuing planning permits,’’ the residents asked.
The families met the builder on Saturday to discuss further course of action to save their property and savings ‘stuck’ in the project.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070624170322&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Modernisation of Chennai airport, new one at Sriperumbedur
New Delhi, Jun 15: The Committee on Infrastructure today gave in-principle approval to the modernisation of Chennai airport and the setting up of a greenfield airport at Sriperumbedur.
The modernisation will be carried out by the Airports Authority of India and the first phase will be over by 2010, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters after the meeting of the Committee that met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Additional land will be provided by the Tamil Nadu Government.
The new airport at Sriperumbedur near Chennai will entail an expenditure of Rs 2,000 crore in the first phase.
The Tamil Nadu Governemnt had already identified 4,821 acre of land for the new airport, Mr Patel said and added the technical feasibility study for it was being carried out.
Link:http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=39409
The modernisation will be carried out by the Airports Authority of India and the first phase will be over by 2010, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters after the meeting of the Committee that met under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Additional land will be provided by the Tamil Nadu Government.
The new airport at Sriperumbedur near Chennai will entail an expenditure of Rs 2,000 crore in the first phase.
The Tamil Nadu Governemnt had already identified 4,821 acre of land for the new airport, Mr Patel said and added the technical feasibility study for it was being carried out.
Link:http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=39409
Centre okays Chennai airport revamp
NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday paved the way for modernising the Chennai airport as also begin preparatory work on a greenfield one there. The Prime Minister's committee of infrastructure put its stamp on the state government's recommendation and decided that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will upgrade the existing airport at a cost of Rs 2,350 crore. It also asked for a pre-feasibility report for a greenfield airport near Chennai.
Giving the break-up of the expected cost, an aviation ministry official said: "The cost of construction of runway, taxiway and apron would be around Rs 1,100 crore and cost of construction of terminal building, cargo building, car park and face lift would be Rs 1,250 crore." The authority is giving final touches to its master plan for the existing place that envisions building a new domestic terminal and upgrading the international one.
The existing Chennai airport can handle about 25 aircraft movement per hour and. Even after expansion, the airport will get saturated by 2014-15 and the greenfield airport has to be ready then. The same logic has been applied in Mumbai where also the Navi Mumbai airport is to be ready in time the existing ones gets saturated around the same time.
"The Airport handled 2.8 million international passengers in 2006-07. The capacity of this terminal is 3 million annually. Similarly the domestic terminal which handled 5.9 million passengers in 2006-07 has a capacity to handle 6 million passengers annually and will be saturated by 2007-08," said the official while highlighting the importance of upgrading the existing airport. The cargo handling capacity is also expected to be saturated around the same time.
Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Centre_okays_Chennai_airport_revamp/articleshow/2127173.cms
Giving the break-up of the expected cost, an aviation ministry official said: "The cost of construction of runway, taxiway and apron would be around Rs 1,100 crore and cost of construction of terminal building, cargo building, car park and face lift would be Rs 1,250 crore." The authority is giving final touches to its master plan for the existing place that envisions building a new domestic terminal and upgrading the international one.
The existing Chennai airport can handle about 25 aircraft movement per hour and. Even after expansion, the airport will get saturated by 2014-15 and the greenfield airport has to be ready then. The same logic has been applied in Mumbai where also the Navi Mumbai airport is to be ready in time the existing ones gets saturated around the same time.
"The Airport handled 2.8 million international passengers in 2006-07. The capacity of this terminal is 3 million annually. Similarly the domestic terminal which handled 5.9 million passengers in 2006-07 has a capacity to handle 6 million passengers annually and will be saturated by 2007-08," said the official while highlighting the importance of upgrading the existing airport. The cargo handling capacity is also expected to be saturated around the same time.
Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Centre_okays_Chennai_airport_revamp/articleshow/2127173.cms
Message in Indian Express16_06_07
The Civil Aviation Minister and Secretary have once again declared that they plan to ‘‘rationalize’’ the operation of Air India, and Indian Airlines. Not surprisingly, this is not exactly headline news. And, as the old saying goes, the way to hell is paved with good intentions! The travelling public has heard these promises so often, that they are no longer taken seriously. Within a very short period, private airlines in this country have left our national carriers far behind, and captured a huge percentage of the market share.
This is by no means any reflection on the talented, dedicated and extremely committed staff of Air India and Indian Airlines. As Minister for Civil Aviation I was deeply impressed by the loyalty and involvement displayed by the staff of our national carriers. If I ever had occasion to fly on a private airline, the staff posted at the airport, or the flight attendants on the return flight would always join issue with me and ask why I had not flown Indian Airlines on the way out. I would laugh and tell them that I was Minister for Civil Aviation, and not Minister for Indian Airlines!
Flight attendants and other staff have displayed extraordinary courage at times of crisis. Some have lost their lives, while protecting passengers in hijack situations. In fact, I have never heard of a single instance of any flight attendant failing to put the interests of the passengers above their own health or safety. By and large, they are courteous, helpful and efficient… in short a remarkable bunch of people.
Women working in our national carriers have been very shabbily treated by the management. They have been grounded at the age of 40, and told that they were unfit to fly thereafter. There were times when they were not permitted to marry, or if they did had to resign. It was mandatory for them to undergo annual health and fitness checks. None of this was applicable to men in the same jobs, and they could carry on without any restrictions, retiring only at the usual Government standard of 58 years or whatever. The theory was that after the age of 40, women were unfit to look after passengers because presumably they were no longer youthful, and therefore, unattractive.
The policy makers naturally did not think that the same rules should be applicable to men, and men could be old and fat and ugly, and inefficient to boot, but that was acceptable. As Minister, I fought tooth and nail to remove the discrimination and ensure that women were treated fairly. I argued that efficiency was a matter of standards and end results and could not be predicated upon gender. I issued several orders and the difficulty I had in getting them implemented was eloquent testimony to the chauvinistic mindsets at the highest levels of Government. However, the sufferings of the air hostesses is not my present concern and in any case requires a far more comprehensive articulation.
It is a matter of great worry for me that terrorism, law and order, and life and death issues which now threaten our very existence, have all but obliterated vital developmental issues from our thinking process. Civil Aviation is or should be an engine of growth for any modern economy. Just think of it… in today's fast growing world there is no longer any scope for a bullock-cart economy. People and goods have to move swiftly, or our economy will come to a standstill.
Jasmines grown in Madurai, or roses in Bangalore, have to move swiftly to their destination as they will otherwise perish. They cannot really wait to be transported on a train or lorry, and this is the case with a large number of goods. Thus civil aviation has an important role to play in a modern economy. Today, this is not the case because of the prohibitive cost of civil aviation both for passenger traffic and freight.
Ordinary passengers, businessmen and traders all find it impossible to factor the cost of air travel and freight into their business costs. In a properly structured economy, there should be synergy of transport and free and unimpeded movement of people and goods. In other words, traffic should flow freely between the airport, the sea port, and highways. This of course is exactly what is NOT happening in India.
As far as I am aware, people do not really know why civil aviation should remain the exclusive preserve of the rich. Why is air travel not really within the reach of the common man? I doubt if the travelling public is aware just how much air travel subsidises the national economy. A large part of the cost of the ticket is used by the government to defray the cost of the huge subsidy of diesel and kerosene used by economically disadvantaged citizens. Further, several years ago, the proceeds of an air travel tax imposed were meant to be used to improve airport infrastructure. This was never done and the tax collected simply vanished into the bottomless pit of government expenditure.
Some time ago, when passengers were put to serious inconvenience due to bunching of flights in a major airport, it was suggested that the domestic airport be used for international flights during peak hours. It was not possible to implement this simple proposal because the Immigration authorities did not have a spare computer to be used in the domestic airport! People are also unaware how much wasteful expenditure the airlines are forced to incur because of the lack of coordination between government departments.
In the Chennai airport for example, wide bodied jets cannot take off from the regular runway without making two unnecessary turns because of the existence of an unused, dilapidated ruin of a building belonging to the Defence Ministry. The building stands on Defence land and is unfit for any kind of use, not even as a rain shelter. But the Defence Ministry is unable to demolish the building and hand over the land to the Airport Authority. The result is that the airlines has to waste crores of rupees taxiing up and down the runway because they don’t have place to turn! Thus, even in the simplest of ways it is impossible to achieve coordination between government departments. And this is not merely a problem besetting this government… it has been the bane of every government since Independence. As a result, it is the long suffering taxpayer who has to bear the burden of the incompetence of government coordination.
Indian Airlines and Air India operate under appalling conditions. For the last several years, the fleet strength of the two airlines have remained the same, roughly 28 aircraft operated by Air India and about 54 operated by Indian Airlines. These aircraft are over burdened and overworked and their average age is about 25 years. This is as opposed to the average age of aircraft owned by the private airlines, which is not more than 4 to 6 years. Obviously, our national carriers desperately require a major infusion of capital outlay. For years now we have been aware of the urgent need to acquire new aircraft and phase out the old ones. There can be no rationalization of anything unless the fleet is overhauled.
In recent times, there has been a great deal of speculation over the open skies policy. This is a debate that is far too controversial to go into here. Suffice it to record the crucial importance of protecting and developing our national carrier, the importance of which should not be underestimated. We should remember that in times of great crisis, our national carriers have played a phenomenal role in safeguarding national interest. For example, during the Gulf War, it was Air India and Indian Airlines which came to the forefront and played a significant role in evacuating Indian citizens from war zones there. It is also Indian Airlines which flies to farflung remote areas of our country to serve the needs of Indian citizens in commercially unviable areas. It is time for us to put the role of our national carriers and of civil aviation in proper perspective because if we fail to do so, we will cause irreparable harm to our growth and development as a modern economy.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/colItems.asp?ID=SEC20021004092844
This is by no means any reflection on the talented, dedicated and extremely committed staff of Air India and Indian Airlines. As Minister for Civil Aviation I was deeply impressed by the loyalty and involvement displayed by the staff of our national carriers. If I ever had occasion to fly on a private airline, the staff posted at the airport, or the flight attendants on the return flight would always join issue with me and ask why I had not flown Indian Airlines on the way out. I would laugh and tell them that I was Minister for Civil Aviation, and not Minister for Indian Airlines!
Flight attendants and other staff have displayed extraordinary courage at times of crisis. Some have lost their lives, while protecting passengers in hijack situations. In fact, I have never heard of a single instance of any flight attendant failing to put the interests of the passengers above their own health or safety. By and large, they are courteous, helpful and efficient… in short a remarkable bunch of people.
Women working in our national carriers have been very shabbily treated by the management. They have been grounded at the age of 40, and told that they were unfit to fly thereafter. There were times when they were not permitted to marry, or if they did had to resign. It was mandatory for them to undergo annual health and fitness checks. None of this was applicable to men in the same jobs, and they could carry on without any restrictions, retiring only at the usual Government standard of 58 years or whatever. The theory was that after the age of 40, women were unfit to look after passengers because presumably they were no longer youthful, and therefore, unattractive.
The policy makers naturally did not think that the same rules should be applicable to men, and men could be old and fat and ugly, and inefficient to boot, but that was acceptable. As Minister, I fought tooth and nail to remove the discrimination and ensure that women were treated fairly. I argued that efficiency was a matter of standards and end results and could not be predicated upon gender. I issued several orders and the difficulty I had in getting them implemented was eloquent testimony to the chauvinistic mindsets at the highest levels of Government. However, the sufferings of the air hostesses is not my present concern and in any case requires a far more comprehensive articulation.
It is a matter of great worry for me that terrorism, law and order, and life and death issues which now threaten our very existence, have all but obliterated vital developmental issues from our thinking process. Civil Aviation is or should be an engine of growth for any modern economy. Just think of it… in today's fast growing world there is no longer any scope for a bullock-cart economy. People and goods have to move swiftly, or our economy will come to a standstill.
Jasmines grown in Madurai, or roses in Bangalore, have to move swiftly to their destination as they will otherwise perish. They cannot really wait to be transported on a train or lorry, and this is the case with a large number of goods. Thus civil aviation has an important role to play in a modern economy. Today, this is not the case because of the prohibitive cost of civil aviation both for passenger traffic and freight.
Ordinary passengers, businessmen and traders all find it impossible to factor the cost of air travel and freight into their business costs. In a properly structured economy, there should be synergy of transport and free and unimpeded movement of people and goods. In other words, traffic should flow freely between the airport, the sea port, and highways. This of course is exactly what is NOT happening in India.
As far as I am aware, people do not really know why civil aviation should remain the exclusive preserve of the rich. Why is air travel not really within the reach of the common man? I doubt if the travelling public is aware just how much air travel subsidises the national economy. A large part of the cost of the ticket is used by the government to defray the cost of the huge subsidy of diesel and kerosene used by economically disadvantaged citizens. Further, several years ago, the proceeds of an air travel tax imposed were meant to be used to improve airport infrastructure. This was never done and the tax collected simply vanished into the bottomless pit of government expenditure.
Some time ago, when passengers were put to serious inconvenience due to bunching of flights in a major airport, it was suggested that the domestic airport be used for international flights during peak hours. It was not possible to implement this simple proposal because the Immigration authorities did not have a spare computer to be used in the domestic airport! People are also unaware how much wasteful expenditure the airlines are forced to incur because of the lack of coordination between government departments.
In the Chennai airport for example, wide bodied jets cannot take off from the regular runway without making two unnecessary turns because of the existence of an unused, dilapidated ruin of a building belonging to the Defence Ministry. The building stands on Defence land and is unfit for any kind of use, not even as a rain shelter. But the Defence Ministry is unable to demolish the building and hand over the land to the Airport Authority. The result is that the airlines has to waste crores of rupees taxiing up and down the runway because they don’t have place to turn! Thus, even in the simplest of ways it is impossible to achieve coordination between government departments. And this is not merely a problem besetting this government… it has been the bane of every government since Independence. As a result, it is the long suffering taxpayer who has to bear the burden of the incompetence of government coordination.
Indian Airlines and Air India operate under appalling conditions. For the last several years, the fleet strength of the two airlines have remained the same, roughly 28 aircraft operated by Air India and about 54 operated by Indian Airlines. These aircraft are over burdened and overworked and their average age is about 25 years. This is as opposed to the average age of aircraft owned by the private airlines, which is not more than 4 to 6 years. Obviously, our national carriers desperately require a major infusion of capital outlay. For years now we have been aware of the urgent need to acquire new aircraft and phase out the old ones. There can be no rationalization of anything unless the fleet is overhauled.
In recent times, there has been a great deal of speculation over the open skies policy. This is a debate that is far too controversial to go into here. Suffice it to record the crucial importance of protecting and developing our national carrier, the importance of which should not be underestimated. We should remember that in times of great crisis, our national carriers have played a phenomenal role in safeguarding national interest. For example, during the Gulf War, it was Air India and Indian Airlines which came to the forefront and played a significant role in evacuating Indian citizens from war zones there. It is also Indian Airlines which flies to farflung remote areas of our country to serve the needs of Indian citizens in commercially unviable areas. It is time for us to put the role of our national carriers and of civil aviation in proper perspective because if we fail to do so, we will cause irreparable harm to our growth and development as a modern economy.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/sunday/colItems.asp?ID=SEC20021004092844
Monday, June 11, 2007
Message in Dailythanthi 12_06_2007
People of Tharapakkam village submitted a memo dram to Kanchipuram collector.
Click on the picture for more info.
Link:http://www.dailythanthi.com/thanthiepaper/firstpage.aspx?keys=13#
Govt planning to allow airports on private land: Patel
Mumbai, June 12: Faced with a shortage of infrastructure in the country, government is planning to allow setting up of airports on private land.
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Aviation and Tourism Investor Summit organised by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation in Mumbai on Monday, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the government is also working on a proposal to allow regional airlines, which could operate in more than one metro city.
However, they will have to be new players as the existing airlines operating at the national level would not be allowed to operate a regional-level service. "The licences given for the regional carriers will be distinct from those given to the national carriers", he said.
There will be some inbuilt incentives for the operators providing regional services. Their capital requirements will be lower as there are certain incentives available for smaller aircraft. Besides, the landing and parking charges are lower at regional airports, he said.
The government will shortly call a meeting of chief ministers of various states to discuss aviation issues and will also discuss the issue of regional airlines, the minister said. Patel also informed the gathering that the government was considering a proposal to allow private merchant airports.
If any private party has the required land and if the location of the land meets certain parameters, government can favourably consider an airport on that land, he said. Patel said the government was keen to expand the airport infrastructure in the country. "We are looking for more than one airport in a metro", he said, adding that "no Indian should be beyond 5 km from an airport."
Link:http://zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=376582&sid=BUS&ssid=50
Speaking at the 3rd Annual Aviation and Tourism Investor Summit organised by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation in Mumbai on Monday, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the government is also working on a proposal to allow regional airlines, which could operate in more than one metro city.
However, they will have to be new players as the existing airlines operating at the national level would not be allowed to operate a regional-level service. "The licences given for the regional carriers will be distinct from those given to the national carriers", he said.
There will be some inbuilt incentives for the operators providing regional services. Their capital requirements will be lower as there are certain incentives available for smaller aircraft. Besides, the landing and parking charges are lower at regional airports, he said.
The government will shortly call a meeting of chief ministers of various states to discuss aviation issues and will also discuss the issue of regional airlines, the minister said. Patel also informed the gathering that the government was considering a proposal to allow private merchant airports.
If any private party has the required land and if the location of the land meets certain parameters, government can favourably consider an airport on that land, he said. Patel said the government was keen to expand the airport infrastructure in the country. "We are looking for more than one airport in a metro", he said, adding that "no Indian should be beyond 5 km from an airport."
Link:http://zeenews.com/articles.asp?aid=376582&sid=BUS&ssid=50
AAI not to take up greenfield airport in Chennai: Patel
Mumbai, June 11: Minister for civil aviation Praful Patel today ruled out the possibility of a greenfield airport in Chennai being taken up by the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The civil aviation ministry has already received a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly which says the AAI should modernise the existing airport and also build a greenfield one near the city. The new airport is to be built across 5,000 acres near Sriperumbudur at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore.
''There is no possibility of AAI handling the greenfield airport,'' said Mr Patel while addressing delegates at third annual investors' summit organised by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
Sensing that it will get Chennai and Kolkata airports, the AAI has already begun groundwork by inviting global design bids so that work can begin as soon as all clearances come.
At the existing airport in Chennai, the immediate task is to provide new domestic and international terminal. This work will be done in phases and at a cost of about Rs 2,000 crore.
Mr Patel also said that joint ventures for non-aeronautical activities at 35 non-metro airports will take off in a year. The concept of merchant airports will be cornerstone of the Vision 2020 document to be unveiled soon, he said.
--- UNI
Link:http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=38036
The civil aviation ministry has already received a resolution passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly which says the AAI should modernise the existing airport and also build a greenfield one near the city. The new airport is to be built across 5,000 acres near Sriperumbudur at a cost of Rs 5,000 crore.
''There is no possibility of AAI handling the greenfield airport,'' said Mr Patel while addressing delegates at third annual investors' summit organised by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
Sensing that it will get Chennai and Kolkata airports, the AAI has already begun groundwork by inviting global design bids so that work can begin as soon as all clearances come.
At the existing airport in Chennai, the immediate task is to provide new domestic and international terminal. This work will be done in phases and at a cost of about Rs 2,000 crore.
Mr Patel also said that joint ventures for non-aeronautical activities at 35 non-metro airports will take off in a year. The concept of merchant airports will be cornerstone of the Vision 2020 document to be unveiled soon, he said.
--- UNI
Link:http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=38036
People of EVP Township held disussion on 10-062007
Nearly 300 Customers of EVP Township met on Sunday (10-06-2007) in Tharappakam village to discuss the steps to be taken to prevent their land from Proposed Chennai airport expansion.
Most of the people had spent their life earnings in getting their property. All the leading Banks (SBI, HDFC, Canara, LIC Housing…) had approved the EVP Township project. Also CMDA had given NOC (dated 26-03-2006) in 2006 regarding airport expansion, saying that these lands are not affected, so people had purchased the land without any fear.
But now the Government decision to acquire the lands had shocked the people. Almost 150 houses are in completion stage and another 300 houses to be completed in another couple of months. A total of 1400 individual houses to be come up in that area. People had bought the house in the range of 25 Lacs to 45 lacs.
All of them had signed a memo dram asking the government not to take their land for the proposed Chennai airport expansion and that memo dram will be presented to the Kancipuram collector on 11-06-2007.
Most of the people had spent their life earnings in getting their property. All the leading Banks (SBI, HDFC, Canara, LIC Housing…) had approved the EVP Township project. Also CMDA had given NOC (dated 26-03-2006) in 2006 regarding airport expansion, saying that these lands are not affected, so people had purchased the land without any fear.
But now the Government decision to acquire the lands had shocked the people. Almost 150 houses are in completion stage and another 300 houses to be completed in another couple of months. A total of 1400 individual houses to be come up in that area. People had bought the house in the range of 25 Lacs to 45 lacs.
All of them had signed a memo dram asking the government not to take their land for the proposed Chennai airport expansion and that memo dram will be presented to the Kancipuram collector on 11-06-2007.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Airport Expansion: AAI studies tech aspects to reduce river's impact
CHENNAI: With the State Government demarcating a tract of land with the Adyar river flowing in the middle for expansion of airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials are studying various engineering techniques to minimise the impact of the water body in the project.
As the Adyar river could not be blocked out completely because it plays a vital role in minimising floods in the locality, it is learnt that the experts are looking at feasibility of connecting land on either side of the river using bridges or culverts, said sources.
The problem that bogs down the experts is how to connect the land on the west bank of the river with that of the current airport. This was because the airport authorities are proposing to build a runway along the west bank of the river, said Dinesh Kumar, airport director.“Since the Government has decided to sanction the land, the AAI has to work around the difficulties to accommodate as many facilities as possible.”The technical aspects of the project are handled by officials of the Authority in Delhi. And “they are looking at different possibilities, even building of bridges or culverts are not finalised because things are at the initial stages.
“A clear picture is likely to emerge in a month. We also need to know the final size of the land to ascertain the type of engineering and magnitude of facilities that can be executed for expansion,” Dinesh Kumar said.
Four years ago, the AAI had rejected the same tract of land as non-feasible going by the criteria of the time, he said, “But now, the authority is working on ways to expand the airport using the land that will be allotted.”
Sources said that the scenario was unique because nowhere in the country an airport was built on land spread on either side of a water body. The engineers have to tackle flooding. Manapakkam, Kolapakkam and Kerugambakkam from where land would be acquired for the airport expansion are prone to floods, the official said.
Besides, the state government is also building two culverts on two points of the river, that would soon fall under the airport campus, to prevent floods during rains.
Meanwhile, civil engineering experts said that there was no precedent of building a structure to bear the weight of an aircraft.
If at all that was made possible, lot of care need to be taken because the land was notified as wetland.Dinesh Kumar said that final decision on would be taken after approval of AAI, head quarters and the ministry.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070603142226&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
As the Adyar river could not be blocked out completely because it plays a vital role in minimising floods in the locality, it is learnt that the experts are looking at feasibility of connecting land on either side of the river using bridges or culverts, said sources.
The problem that bogs down the experts is how to connect the land on the west bank of the river with that of the current airport. This was because the airport authorities are proposing to build a runway along the west bank of the river, said Dinesh Kumar, airport director.“Since the Government has decided to sanction the land, the AAI has to work around the difficulties to accommodate as many facilities as possible.”The technical aspects of the project are handled by officials of the Authority in Delhi. And “they are looking at different possibilities, even building of bridges or culverts are not finalised because things are at the initial stages.
“A clear picture is likely to emerge in a month. We also need to know the final size of the land to ascertain the type of engineering and magnitude of facilities that can be executed for expansion,” Dinesh Kumar said.
Four years ago, the AAI had rejected the same tract of land as non-feasible going by the criteria of the time, he said, “But now, the authority is working on ways to expand the airport using the land that will be allotted.”
Sources said that the scenario was unique because nowhere in the country an airport was built on land spread on either side of a water body. The engineers have to tackle flooding. Manapakkam, Kolapakkam and Kerugambakkam from where land would be acquired for the airport expansion are prone to floods, the official said.
Besides, the state government is also building two culverts on two points of the river, that would soon fall under the airport campus, to prevent floods during rains.
Meanwhile, civil engineering experts said that there was no precedent of building a structure to bear the weight of an aircraft.
If at all that was made possible, lot of care need to be taken because the land was notified as wetland.Dinesh Kumar said that final decision on would be taken after approval of AAI, head quarters and the ministry.
Link:http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920070603142226&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&
Survey Numbers released by Kancheepuram District Collectorate
Survey Numbers released by Kancheepuram District Collectorate on May26th-2007
Draft Guide Line value of Tharapakkam Village
The Draft Guide value of Tharapakkam village is Rs.700 (Sqft/acre)
For Further Detials visit:
Friday, June 8, 2007
Message in DINAMANI New paper on 08-06-2007
Please visit this link for update on chennai airport
http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNM20070607145141&Title=Chennai+Page&lTitle=%F9Nu%FB%5D&Topic=0
http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNM20070607145141&Title=Chennai+Page&lTitle=%F9Nu%FB%5D&Topic=0
Airport modernisation to be taken by PM's Infra Committee
Message in THE HINDU on 28-05-2007
New Delhi, May 28 (PTI): A final decision on Chennai airport modernisation and the creation of a greenfield airport near the Tamil Nadu capital is likely to be taken up by Prime Minister's Committee on Infrastructure.
Official sources said that at its next meeting, the infrastructure panel would consider various aspects, including pros and cons of a new greenfield airport near Chennai, before taking a final view on the matter.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi, had recently announced that Chennai airport revamp as well as development of a greenfield airport would be handled by Airports Authority of India. West Bengal government has already entrusted the Kolkata airport modernisation work to the AAI.
The DMK government was planning to have a greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur and Tiruvallur talukas near Chennai, Karunanidhi had said after a meeting of all legislative party leaders.
He had also said the existing airport at Meenambakkam would be the expanded to Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Kerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumbudur talukas and the government would provide suitable compensation to 947 households in these areas and rehabilitate them.
On the greenfield airport, the sources however, said the current traffic projections show that the southern metropolis does not require a second airport in the next 12-13 years. The traffic growth could be handled by the Meenambakkam airport through its expansion programme, they added.
As per official figures, the existing airport was currently handling about 7.55 million passengers annually, which was poised to grow to about nine million by 2009-10.
The sources said the only thing that was clear at this moment was that the state-owned AAI would handle the development of the existing airport, for which the state government has made the required land available.
According to the Tamil Nadu government, while the greenfield airport would come up on 4,820.66 acre, expansion of Chennai airport would be carried out on 1,069.99 acre at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore.
On Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, AAI has already submitted a modernisation plan that is estimated to cost around Rs 2,000 crore. The funds would be raised by the AAI through its own financial strength.
Of the estimated outlay, AAI plans to spend Rs 900 crore during the 11th Plan period and the remaining amount after that.
As the modernisation plan is put into practice, the existing airport in the eastern metropolis would continue to serve the passengers, the sources said.
New Delhi, May 28 (PTI): A final decision on Chennai airport modernisation and the creation of a greenfield airport near the Tamil Nadu capital is likely to be taken up by Prime Minister's Committee on Infrastructure.
Official sources said that at its next meeting, the infrastructure panel would consider various aspects, including pros and cons of a new greenfield airport near Chennai, before taking a final view on the matter.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi, had recently announced that Chennai airport revamp as well as development of a greenfield airport would be handled by Airports Authority of India. West Bengal government has already entrusted the Kolkata airport modernisation work to the AAI.
The DMK government was planning to have a greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur and Tiruvallur talukas near Chennai, Karunanidhi had said after a meeting of all legislative party leaders.
He had also said the existing airport at Meenambakkam would be the expanded to Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Kerugambakkam and Tharapakkam in Sriperumbudur talukas and the government would provide suitable compensation to 947 households in these areas and rehabilitate them.
On the greenfield airport, the sources however, said the current traffic projections show that the southern metropolis does not require a second airport in the next 12-13 years. The traffic growth could be handled by the Meenambakkam airport through its expansion programme, they added.
As per official figures, the existing airport was currently handling about 7.55 million passengers annually, which was poised to grow to about nine million by 2009-10.
The sources said the only thing that was clear at this moment was that the state-owned AAI would handle the development of the existing airport, for which the state government has made the required land available.
According to the Tamil Nadu government, while the greenfield airport would come up on 4,820.66 acre, expansion of Chennai airport would be carried out on 1,069.99 acre at an estimated cost of Rs 2,000 crore.
On Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, AAI has already submitted a modernisation plan that is estimated to cost around Rs 2,000 crore. The funds would be raised by the AAI through its own financial strength.
Of the estimated outlay, AAI plans to spend Rs 900 crore during the 11th Plan period and the remaining amount after that.
As the modernisation plan is put into practice, the existing airport in the eastern metropolis would continue to serve the passengers, the sources said.
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