New Delhi, May 20 Days before its meeting with the parliamentary standing committee on civil aviation, the Planning Commission, in a project appraisal letter to thefinance ministry, has backed the Airport Authority of India’s (AAI) proposal for the modernisation of the Kolkata airport but reiterated its stand, including a review of the size of the new terminal.
In its appraisal letter to the secretary, expenditure, ministry of finance, who is also the chairman of the public investment board (PIB), just ahead of the meeting with the parliamentary panel on May 22, the commission has stated that it does not have any objections to the AAI’s plan for the modernisation and expansion of the Kolkata airport.
It is, however, stuck to its earlier demands. A senior official involved in the process told FE that the commission wants AAI to undertake the modernisation work in two phases and take a re-look at the issue of peak-hour traffic and construction of a terminal to handle 20 million passengers by 2016.
“We have said that we support the proposal but we want the AAI to look into the transportation issue. At present, the airport is not connected by metro rail. The AAI should ensure that as part of the modernisation process, the metro is be extended to connect the airport,” the official said.
The parliamentary panel intervened in the issue following a spat between the commission and civil aviation minister Praful Patel who alleged that the Kolkata modernisation project was delayed due to constant objections raised by the commission.
“The commission is more eager to put most of the modernisation projects on the PPP mode. They have not realised the mess they have created out of privatising the Delhi and Mumbai airports. They will be happy if we put the Kolkata and Chennai airports also on the PPP mode,” a senior Parliamentarian on the committee had said earlier.
Under pressure from the Left parties, the UPA government had to go back on its words and settle for the AAI modernising the Kolkata and Chennai airports instead of the government’s preference for taking up the projects under the PPP route.
Peeved over the delay in clearing the modernisation and expansion works at the Kolkata and Chennai airports and the mess that has been created of the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, the parliamentary panel headed by CPI-M Politburo member Sitaram Yechury had summoned both the Planning Commission and the civil aviation ministry to explain their stands on the issue.
The Planning Commission, in a meeting of the inter-ministerial group on modernisation of the Kolkata airport had suggested a modular approach for terminal expansion in two phases and said the project seemed “over-ambitious” and would lead to unviable investment.
It also said the AAI’s proposal for a secondary runway at a cost of Rs 35 crore and another Rs 290 crore for construction of ATC towers and upgradation of a railway structure did not look feasible.
The commission also felt that construction of a new terminal building of 1,80,000 sq metre at the Kolkata airport to handle 24.56 million passengers by 2016 is much too big a space as till 2016 most of the space would lie unused. The airport handled 6 million passengers in 2006-07.
On the finances side, the commission pointed that the Kolkata airport had an operating surplus of Rs 33.40 crore in 2006-07. Its ability to absorb and service an investment of about Rs 2,000 crore “is very doubtful”. This would imply an inevitable increase in user charges.
“This modular approach is generally favoured in order to improve the viability of investments, as it would postpone a capital expenditure of about Rs 800 crore,” the commission argued....
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Now--Comm-okay-with-AAI-s-Kolkata-plan-but-objects-to-scale/312299/
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Behind delay in Kolkata, Chennai airport revamp: Ministry planned big, Montek & Co want smaller
NEW DELHI, MAY 15: “...The modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airport is being delayed due to constant objections being raised by the Planning Commission about the scale and size of these airports we planned to construct.”
That was Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel in his letter to Montek Singh Ahluwalia soon after the Planning Commission deputy chairman hauled up the Delhi airport developer over what he called the slow pace of work.
Given that 2010 is the deadline for the first phase of modernisation for both Kolkata and Chennai airports, Patel has a reason to raise the red flag. While work at the Kolkata airport is delayed for six months, at Chennai, the delay is four months and counting. This despite the fact that both projects were cleared last year by the Committee on Infrastructure (CoI) headed by the Prime Minister.
The “constant objections,” Patel mentioned refer to the protracted debate over planning “big” (the Ministry’s proposal) and planning small (the Planning Commission’s idea.)
Patel says the Ministry wants to build world-class airports in both cities and that such projects should be decided keeping in mind needs for the next 10-20 years. “We should not repeat mistakes of the past of planning small,” he told The Indian Express. Like the one made in the construction of the current New Delhi international airport, “a plan then approved by the Planning Commission and the Ministry.”
As envisaged by the Ministry, work should have started on the upgradation of Kolkata airport in January this year but the Planning Commission’s charges of “overbuilding” is what is keeping the project from taking off.
The Ministry wants to create a massive integrated terminal at Kolkata spread out across 2.5 km. It also plans to vacate and close down the existing international terminal in the second phase of modernisation. The domestic terminal will continue to be used and its front elevation, sources said, will be re-developed. In Phase III, the domestic terminal will also be replaced with a brand new structure.
“While we have all environmental clearances and so on for the project and have already started the tendering process, we are unable to award them and start work on the airport’s upgradation because we still do not have the government’s go-ahead. That is largely because the Plan Panel is convinced that we will end up overbuilding. We, however, feel that as per our traffic projections, we will require a bigger terminal area,” said a senior Ministry official.
The ministry hopes that it will be able to start work on the Rs 2,000-crore Phase I of the Kolkata airport modernisation project by July this year.
At the Chennai airport, while the Rs 1800-crore first-phase modernisation has been delayed by over four months now largely due to major land acquisition issues, the Planning Commission has the same set of reservations.
“We have been trying to expedite the Chennai airport case but acquisition of some 136 acres in the area is still a problem. While the state has invoked an emergency clause for land acquisition, it’s also tangled in courts. However, we have been assured that by August or September we should be able to start work there. Still, the Plan Panel has sizing issues, they feel we are planning too big an airport.”
Speaking to The Indian Express, Ahluwalia said: “I have been very concerned about the need to cut delays in projects. (In fact) we have speeded up processes very considerably”. He said that it’s the Public Investment Board that clears projects with the Planning Commission’s observations. These can be overruled by the PIB when it clears the project. Finally, PIB’s decision, along with the Commission’s views, is taken to the CCEA for final approval, he said.
Senior officials from the Planning Commission claim that they have just received Chennai’s modernisation proposal and the problem is that contiguous land is not available. On Kolkata, these officials claim, the Plan panel feels it should be modernized on a “modular basis” instead of creating a large airport. And that if this is done on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, money saved could be invested in upgrading airports in the North-East.
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/310379.html
That was Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel in his letter to Montek Singh Ahluwalia soon after the Planning Commission deputy chairman hauled up the Delhi airport developer over what he called the slow pace of work.
Given that 2010 is the deadline for the first phase of modernisation for both Kolkata and Chennai airports, Patel has a reason to raise the red flag. While work at the Kolkata airport is delayed for six months, at Chennai, the delay is four months and counting. This despite the fact that both projects were cleared last year by the Committee on Infrastructure (CoI) headed by the Prime Minister.
The “constant objections,” Patel mentioned refer to the protracted debate over planning “big” (the Ministry’s proposal) and planning small (the Planning Commission’s idea.)
Patel says the Ministry wants to build world-class airports in both cities and that such projects should be decided keeping in mind needs for the next 10-20 years. “We should not repeat mistakes of the past of planning small,” he told The Indian Express. Like the one made in the construction of the current New Delhi international airport, “a plan then approved by the Planning Commission and the Ministry.”
As envisaged by the Ministry, work should have started on the upgradation of Kolkata airport in January this year but the Planning Commission’s charges of “overbuilding” is what is keeping the project from taking off.
The Ministry wants to create a massive integrated terminal at Kolkata spread out across 2.5 km. It also plans to vacate and close down the existing international terminal in the second phase of modernisation. The domestic terminal will continue to be used and its front elevation, sources said, will be re-developed. In Phase III, the domestic terminal will also be replaced with a brand new structure.
“While we have all environmental clearances and so on for the project and have already started the tendering process, we are unable to award them and start work on the airport’s upgradation because we still do not have the government’s go-ahead. That is largely because the Plan Panel is convinced that we will end up overbuilding. We, however, feel that as per our traffic projections, we will require a bigger terminal area,” said a senior Ministry official.
The ministry hopes that it will be able to start work on the Rs 2,000-crore Phase I of the Kolkata airport modernisation project by July this year.
At the Chennai airport, while the Rs 1800-crore first-phase modernisation has been delayed by over four months now largely due to major land acquisition issues, the Planning Commission has the same set of reservations.
“We have been trying to expedite the Chennai airport case but acquisition of some 136 acres in the area is still a problem. While the state has invoked an emergency clause for land acquisition, it’s also tangled in courts. However, we have been assured that by August or September we should be able to start work there. Still, the Plan Panel has sizing issues, they feel we are planning too big an airport.”
Speaking to The Indian Express, Ahluwalia said: “I have been very concerned about the need to cut delays in projects. (In fact) we have speeded up processes very considerably”. He said that it’s the Public Investment Board that clears projects with the Planning Commission’s observations. These can be overruled by the PIB when it clears the project. Finally, PIB’s decision, along with the Commission’s views, is taken to the CCEA for final approval, he said.
Senior officials from the Planning Commission claim that they have just received Chennai’s modernisation proposal and the problem is that contiguous land is not available. On Kolkata, these officials claim, the Plan panel feels it should be modernized on a “modular basis” instead of creating a large airport. And that if this is done on a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, money saved could be invested in upgrading airports in the North-East.
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/310379.html
Monday, May 19, 2008
Bureaucratic bottlenecks come in way of projects
19-May-2008
The Civil Aviation Ministry and the Planning Commission, or more particularly Aviation Minister Praful Patel and the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman M. S. Ahluwalia, have had a spat over the delays in the implementation of the Delhi and Mumbai airport expansion projects.
This has also spilled over to the clearance for the expansion of the Kolkata and Chennai airports. In effect, it boils down to a blame game between the two authorities that should be ensuring the speedy completion of such critical infrastructure projects.
Though a sad reflection on the state of affairs as it is, this development also throws light on the systemic and bureaucratic bottlenecks in the execution of major infrastructure projects.
It should have come as some relief that the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad has got off the ground, though not without some hiccups. But they were quickly resolved, along with the other teething problems. The Bengaluru International Airport should open to traffic by the end of May.
A few problems however need to be resolved before then. After making itself clear that there can be no reneging on signed agreements, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry wants to have the cake and eat it too — suggesting that the old HAL airport can also remain open to traffic, at least for the short haul or low cost airlines.
It may only be reflecting the views of the travelling public, or even the airport employees’ unions, but the authorities must have examined these aspects before signing any agreement.
At least now, the revised policy on airports does provide for a case-by-case sanction for airports within 150 km radius of existing one with both of them functioning.
Policy framework
The new policy framework provides for what is called a steering committee to coordinate on airport projects.
Instead of airing their differences in public or accusing each other for the delays, all the agencies and ministries involved in such projects could get that apex forum set up swiftly to iron out these problems.
Though regular review of the projects is taking place and the private sector developers also get back to the ministries or the political leadership to find solutions to the problems they face, it may be much easier to handle it at the official level and early on to make sure molehills do not become mountains.
Instead of having individual reviews, an inter-ministerial panel can perhaps come up with faster solutions that find wider acceptance and quick implementation.
What happened in the recent “exchanges” was Mr. Patel blaming the Planning Commission for raising repeated objections and raising queries on the Delhi airport as well as the plans for Kolkata and Chennai, with Mr. Ahluwalia emphasising that these routine reviews do raise such questions that need to be addressed before execution of major project.
Time schedule
Both Hyderabad and Bangalore airport developers have shown that it is possible to build greenfield airports in three years time. With better cooperation and interaction between government agencies and the developers, this process could even be speeded up a little. There are obvious differences between building greenfield airports, where there is no activity, and expanding or modernising existing airports that remain fully functional. Delhi and Mumbai fall into the second category, and so will Kolkata and Chennai. Plans have to be drawn keeping that in mind. To ensure timely completion of these projects, the developers and contractors need more, not less assistance from the authorities.
Before work on the Chennai and Kolkata airports begin, the Aviation Ministry will do well to resolve all these issues and make sure that the problems faced by Delhi and Mumbai do not crop up again in the other two metropolis. There is already a clear slippage in growth in the key infrastructure sectors of the economy, let not the aviation sector add on to this problem.
http://www.hindu.com/biz/2008/05/19/stories/2008051950111600.htm
The Civil Aviation Ministry and the Planning Commission, or more particularly Aviation Minister Praful Patel and the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman M. S. Ahluwalia, have had a spat over the delays in the implementation of the Delhi and Mumbai airport expansion projects.
This has also spilled over to the clearance for the expansion of the Kolkata and Chennai airports. In effect, it boils down to a blame game between the two authorities that should be ensuring the speedy completion of such critical infrastructure projects.
Though a sad reflection on the state of affairs as it is, this development also throws light on the systemic and bureaucratic bottlenecks in the execution of major infrastructure projects.
It should have come as some relief that the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad has got off the ground, though not without some hiccups. But they were quickly resolved, along with the other teething problems. The Bengaluru International Airport should open to traffic by the end of May.
A few problems however need to be resolved before then. After making itself clear that there can be no reneging on signed agreements, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry wants to have the cake and eat it too — suggesting that the old HAL airport can also remain open to traffic, at least for the short haul or low cost airlines.
It may only be reflecting the views of the travelling public, or even the airport employees’ unions, but the authorities must have examined these aspects before signing any agreement.
At least now, the revised policy on airports does provide for a case-by-case sanction for airports within 150 km radius of existing one with both of them functioning.
Policy framework
The new policy framework provides for what is called a steering committee to coordinate on airport projects.
Instead of airing their differences in public or accusing each other for the delays, all the agencies and ministries involved in such projects could get that apex forum set up swiftly to iron out these problems.
Though regular review of the projects is taking place and the private sector developers also get back to the ministries or the political leadership to find solutions to the problems they face, it may be much easier to handle it at the official level and early on to make sure molehills do not become mountains.
Instead of having individual reviews, an inter-ministerial panel can perhaps come up with faster solutions that find wider acceptance and quick implementation.
What happened in the recent “exchanges” was Mr. Patel blaming the Planning Commission for raising repeated objections and raising queries on the Delhi airport as well as the plans for Kolkata and Chennai, with Mr. Ahluwalia emphasising that these routine reviews do raise such questions that need to be addressed before execution of major project.
Time schedule
Both Hyderabad and Bangalore airport developers have shown that it is possible to build greenfield airports in three years time. With better cooperation and interaction between government agencies and the developers, this process could even be speeded up a little. There are obvious differences between building greenfield airports, where there is no activity, and expanding or modernising existing airports that remain fully functional. Delhi and Mumbai fall into the second category, and so will Kolkata and Chennai. Plans have to be drawn keeping that in mind. To ensure timely completion of these projects, the developers and contractors need more, not less assistance from the authorities.
Before work on the Chennai and Kolkata airports begin, the Aviation Ministry will do well to resolve all these issues and make sure that the problems faced by Delhi and Mumbai do not crop up again in the other two metropolis. There is already a clear slippage in growth in the key infrastructure sectors of the economy, let not the aviation sector add on to this problem.
http://www.hindu.com/biz/2008/05/19/stories/2008051950111600.htm
Friday, May 16, 2008
Now, parliament panel steps in airport mess
17-May-2008
Peeved over the delay in clearing the modernisation and expansion works at the Kolkata and Chennai airports and the mess that has been created of the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, the parliamentary committee on civil aviation has summoned both the Planning Commission and the civil aviation ministry for a meeting on May 22 to explain their stands on the issue.
Speaking to FE, a senior parliamentarian on the committee said, “The Planning Commission has been creating some trouble for some time now. Frankly speaking, it has crossed its line (now). It has been raising too many objections. We want to know the reason behind this. Their objections have delayed clearance of the projects.”
“The Commission is more eager to put most of the modernisation projects on the PPP mode. They have not realised the mess they have created out of privatising the Delhi and Mumbai airports. They will be happy if we put the Kolkata and Chennai airports also on the PPP mode,” the member added.
Incidentally, the Airport Authority of India (AAI)'s proposal for modernising Kolkata airport at an estimated cost of Rs 1,943 crore had been termed an “unviable investment” and “over-ambitious” by the Commission’s officials at a recent inter-ministerial group meeting.
“While the Kolkata airport should certainly be modernised to world class standards, the efficiency of investments would have to be borne in mind in order to ensure that the user charges/tariffs to be borne by passengers do not increase significantly when the proposed regulator determines these charges,” the Commission had argued at the inter-ministerial group meeting.
In line with a decision of the Committee on Infrastructure, the Commission further suggested a modular approach for terminal expansion in two phases. It also said the AAI's proposal for a secondary runway at a cost of Rs 35 crore and another Rs 290 crore for constructing Air Traffic Controllers’ towers and upgrading a railway structure do not look feasible.
Interestingly, the Commission feels that construction of a new terminal building of 1,80,000 square metres at the Kolkata airport to handle 24.56 million passengers by 2016 is much too big a space as till 2016, most of the space would lie unused. The airport handled 6 million passengers in 2006-07.
On the finances side, the Commission pointed that the Kolkata airport had an operating surplus of Rs 33.40 crore in 2006-07 and its ability to absorb and service an investment of about Rs 2,000 crore “is very doubtful”. This would imply an inevitable increase in user charges.
The Commission has suggested that the IMG approve an action plan consisting of two equal phases of 90,000 sqm each and the construction on the second phase should start when the traffic reached 15 million per annum. “This modular approach is generally favoured in order to improve the viability of investments, as it would postpone a capital expenditure of about Rs 800 crore,” the Commission argued.
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Now--parliament-panel-steps-in-airport-mess/310706/
Peeved over the delay in clearing the modernisation and expansion works at the Kolkata and Chennai airports and the mess that has been created of the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, the parliamentary committee on civil aviation has summoned both the Planning Commission and the civil aviation ministry for a meeting on May 22 to explain their stands on the issue.
Speaking to FE, a senior parliamentarian on the committee said, “The Planning Commission has been creating some trouble for some time now. Frankly speaking, it has crossed its line (now). It has been raising too many objections. We want to know the reason behind this. Their objections have delayed clearance of the projects.”
“The Commission is more eager to put most of the modernisation projects on the PPP mode. They have not realised the mess they have created out of privatising the Delhi and Mumbai airports. They will be happy if we put the Kolkata and Chennai airports also on the PPP mode,” the member added.
Incidentally, the Airport Authority of India (AAI)'s proposal for modernising Kolkata airport at an estimated cost of Rs 1,943 crore had been termed an “unviable investment” and “over-ambitious” by the Commission’s officials at a recent inter-ministerial group meeting.
“While the Kolkata airport should certainly be modernised to world class standards, the efficiency of investments would have to be borne in mind in order to ensure that the user charges/tariffs to be borne by passengers do not increase significantly when the proposed regulator determines these charges,” the Commission had argued at the inter-ministerial group meeting.
In line with a decision of the Committee on Infrastructure, the Commission further suggested a modular approach for terminal expansion in two phases. It also said the AAI's proposal for a secondary runway at a cost of Rs 35 crore and another Rs 290 crore for constructing Air Traffic Controllers’ towers and upgrading a railway structure do not look feasible.
Interestingly, the Commission feels that construction of a new terminal building of 1,80,000 square metres at the Kolkata airport to handle 24.56 million passengers by 2016 is much too big a space as till 2016, most of the space would lie unused. The airport handled 6 million passengers in 2006-07.
On the finances side, the Commission pointed that the Kolkata airport had an operating surplus of Rs 33.40 crore in 2006-07 and its ability to absorb and service an investment of about Rs 2,000 crore “is very doubtful”. This would imply an inevitable increase in user charges.
The Commission has suggested that the IMG approve an action plan consisting of two equal phases of 90,000 sqm each and the construction on the second phase should start when the traffic reached 15 million per annum. “This modular approach is generally favoured in order to improve the viability of investments, as it would postpone a capital expenditure of about Rs 800 crore,” the Commission argued.
http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Now--parliament-panel-steps-in-airport-mess/310706/
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Greenfield airport site feasible, says study
16-May-2008
Project awaits technical approval
Emphasis on connectivity to site
CHENNAI: While the Airports Authority of India prepares to begin work on the modernisation and expansion of Chennai airport in the coming weeks, it has also taken the first steps towards starting work on its greenfield airport project in Sriperumbudur.
The AAI has conducted a techno-feasibility study, and an official told The Hindu that the site was feasible for the greenfield airport.
The proposal is currently with the International Civil Aviation Organisation awaiting approval. While the AAI initially planned to construct four runways on the site, it will now build two parallel runways. When completed, the project will take care of Chennai’s aviation requirements “for the next 50 years,” the official said.
The State government has identified 4,820.66 acres of land in Tirumangalam, Mambakkam, Irungulam, Vadamangalam, Padicherry, Sirukilai, Kilai and Sriperumbudur in Sriperumbudur taluk, and Tirupandiyur and Vayalur in Tiruvallur taluk for the project, and around 6,540 people and 1,078 homes will be dislocated by the development.
The lands marked out for the greenfield airport are close to the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. A State government official said that developing connectivity to the proposed site will be strongly emphasised in the planning for the project as the government was keen on avoiding a repeat of the teething troubles faced in Bangalore and Hyderabad, where similar greenfield airports were set up on the outskirts of the two cities.
The government was also exploring the possibility of providing rail connectivity to the proposed site from the line at Avadi, and also developing the national highway to Sriperumbudur as an expressway concurrently. While the AAI had initially slated the greenfield project for completion before 2015, the go-ahead for the expansion plan at Meenambakkam will give it more time to develop the project.
According to AAI sources, the expansion plan will enhance capacity and meet traffic demands till at least 2016 or 2017. The AAI has invested more than Rs. 1,800 crore in the expansion project, and is expected to keep both airports open.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051650030100.htm
Project awaits technical approval
Emphasis on connectivity to site
CHENNAI: While the Airports Authority of India prepares to begin work on the modernisation and expansion of Chennai airport in the coming weeks, it has also taken the first steps towards starting work on its greenfield airport project in Sriperumbudur.
The AAI has conducted a techno-feasibility study, and an official told The Hindu that the site was feasible for the greenfield airport.
The proposal is currently with the International Civil Aviation Organisation awaiting approval. While the AAI initially planned to construct four runways on the site, it will now build two parallel runways. When completed, the project will take care of Chennai’s aviation requirements “for the next 50 years,” the official said.
The State government has identified 4,820.66 acres of land in Tirumangalam, Mambakkam, Irungulam, Vadamangalam, Padicherry, Sirukilai, Kilai and Sriperumbudur in Sriperumbudur taluk, and Tirupandiyur and Vayalur in Tiruvallur taluk for the project, and around 6,540 people and 1,078 homes will be dislocated by the development.
The lands marked out for the greenfield airport are close to the Chennai-Bangalore National Highway. A State government official said that developing connectivity to the proposed site will be strongly emphasised in the planning for the project as the government was keen on avoiding a repeat of the teething troubles faced in Bangalore and Hyderabad, where similar greenfield airports were set up on the outskirts of the two cities.
The government was also exploring the possibility of providing rail connectivity to the proposed site from the line at Avadi, and also developing the national highway to Sriperumbudur as an expressway concurrently. While the AAI had initially slated the greenfield project for completion before 2015, the go-ahead for the expansion plan at Meenambakkam will give it more time to develop the project.
According to AAI sources, the expansion plan will enhance capacity and meet traffic demands till at least 2016 or 2017. The AAI has invested more than Rs. 1,800 crore in the expansion project, and is expected to keep both airports open.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/16/stories/2008051650030100.htm
Minister hits back, blames Delhi airport delay on Plan Panel
14-May-2008
A day after the Planning Commission rapped the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) for the slow progress in upgradation of the capital’s airport, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Tuesday hit back at the Plan Panel.
In a strongly-worded letter, Patel has written to Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia how it is the Commission’s “constant objections” that had earlier delayed the awarding process for joint ventures of both Delhi and Mumbai airports and how it is now dragging its feet on the Kolkata and Chennai airport modernisation process.
The Commission had come down heavily on the GMR-run DIAL at a review meeting on Monday for its slow progress, terming it a complete failure. The Commission had said the situation at the airport was miserable, as instead of decreasing congestion, DIAL had only increased congestion. DIAL was further told that this was leading to a perception that bringing in a private partner for the upgradation was no help at all and this was hitting the country’s global image.
Patel has reacted rather quickly to the Planning Commission’s sudden interest in DIAL. Pointing out how he has learnt through newspaper reports about Ahluwalia’s “anguish over the slow pace of progress in the modernisation and development work” at the Delhi airport, the minister said he hoped it would bring about “necessary changes and improvement in a time-bound manner”.
The minister, however, has not minced words in pointing out how it is the Planning Commission officials who have been delaying various projects. Sources in the Planning Commission say the letter refers to how the commission’s officials had almost “completely derailed” the process of awarding joint ventures for Mumbai and Delhi airports and only the Deputy Commissioner’s intervention had helped save the deal. The minister, it is learnt, has also noted that projects should be decided keeping in mind the needs for the next 10-20 years and “not to repeat the past mistakes” like those made in construction of the current IGI airport international terminal — “a plan then approved by the Planning Commission and the Ministry”.
Patel has written that he takes “this opportunity” to bring to Ahluwalia’s notice how the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports is also being delayed due to “constant objections being raised by the Planning Commission about the scale and size of these airports”. These endless objections are holding up the project despite the fact that the Committee on Infrastructure headed by the Prime Minister has “categorically approved the projects”.
The minister winds off his letter rather sarcastically, saying he hoped the Deputy Chairman’s visits across Delhi and the country would draw his attention to “various problems of roads, electricity, water, sewerage system, public transport” and that he would address these problems in a “time-bound manner”.
Patel’s letter comes soon after Left leader Sitaram Yechury wrote to the PM on the issue of delay in the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports and complained that “backdoor privatisation” of the 35 non-metro airports was being planned.
http://www।indianexpress.com/story/309223.html
A day after the Planning Commission rapped the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) for the slow progress in upgradation of the capital’s airport, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Tuesday hit back at the Plan Panel.
In a strongly-worded letter, Patel has written to Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia how it is the Commission’s “constant objections” that had earlier delayed the awarding process for joint ventures of both Delhi and Mumbai airports and how it is now dragging its feet on the Kolkata and Chennai airport modernisation process.
The Commission had come down heavily on the GMR-run DIAL at a review meeting on Monday for its slow progress, terming it a complete failure. The Commission had said the situation at the airport was miserable, as instead of decreasing congestion, DIAL had only increased congestion. DIAL was further told that this was leading to a perception that bringing in a private partner for the upgradation was no help at all and this was hitting the country’s global image.
Patel has reacted rather quickly to the Planning Commission’s sudden interest in DIAL. Pointing out how he has learnt through newspaper reports about Ahluwalia’s “anguish over the slow pace of progress in the modernisation and development work” at the Delhi airport, the minister said he hoped it would bring about “necessary changes and improvement in a time-bound manner”.
The minister, however, has not minced words in pointing out how it is the Planning Commission officials who have been delaying various projects. Sources in the Planning Commission say the letter refers to how the commission’s officials had almost “completely derailed” the process of awarding joint ventures for Mumbai and Delhi airports and only the Deputy Commissioner’s intervention had helped save the deal. The minister, it is learnt, has also noted that projects should be decided keeping in mind the needs for the next 10-20 years and “not to repeat the past mistakes” like those made in construction of the current IGI airport international terminal — “a plan then approved by the Planning Commission and the Ministry”.
Patel has written that he takes “this opportunity” to bring to Ahluwalia’s notice how the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports is also being delayed due to “constant objections being raised by the Planning Commission about the scale and size of these airports”. These endless objections are holding up the project despite the fact that the Committee on Infrastructure headed by the Prime Minister has “categorically approved the projects”.
The minister winds off his letter rather sarcastically, saying he hoped the Deputy Chairman’s visits across Delhi and the country would draw his attention to “various problems of roads, electricity, water, sewerage system, public transport” and that he would address these problems in a “time-bound manner”.
Patel’s letter comes soon after Left leader Sitaram Yechury wrote to the PM on the issue of delay in the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports and complained that “backdoor privatisation” of the 35 non-metro airports was being planned.
http://www।indianexpress.com/story/309223.html
‘Chennai, Kolkata airports modernisation delayed by Plan panel’
13-May-2008
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.हतं
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Environmentalists concerned about airport expansion project
10-May-2008
CHENNAI: The airport expansion project, which involves extension of a runway across the Adyar river, has raised concern among environmentalists, who say the plan will increase the likelihood of flooding in surrounding areas.
As part of its 1069.99 acre, Rs.1,800-crore project, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will extend the 6,500-foot cross runway and build a taxi track across the Adyar river, by constructing a bund over the water. The AAI will also construct a second parallel runway on the river’s northern embankment.
“A runway across the river is dangerous as it will…lead to higher inflow into the river,” warns Ranjit Daniels, director of Care Earth. “Technology may help minimise the flooding of the runway per se, but there is no way the surroundings can be kept safe.”
The Adyar river is the largest outlet from the Chembarambakkam lake, which lies 7 km to the north-west of the proposed site. Dr. Daniels says the river drains rainwater from a much larger surrounding area, most of which was “already choked,” and such a project would affect drainage patterns and increase the likelihood of flooding.
AAI stand
The AAI rejects these concerns. It has already submitted a feasibility report and a rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval (although only for the first phase of its project, which involves the runway extension). A pre-Public Investment Board meeting for the project is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Monday, and sources within the AAI indicated that they expect to receive clearance from various Ministries to allow work to begin next month.
The AAI’s feasibility report states there will be “no changes in water bodies or the land surface that will affect drainage or run-off.”
Claims disputed
The Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), however, disputes these claims.
“The report fails to take into account what the current water availability in the area is, and for an EIA, this is not acceptable and is incomplete,” says Amritha Kasturi Rangan of CAG. “The mitigation measures are not clearly spelled out at all. For instance, the report says waste will be ‘suitably’ disposed of, but they haven’t identified any sites for disposable or how much waste will be generated.”
According to former pilot Capt. A. Ranganathan, flooding isn’t just a threat to surrounding areas, but also to the functioning of the airport. “In 2005, when the whole area flooded, the river level was up to the taxi track level,” he says. In that instance, the airport was temporarily closed and a section of the boundary wall had to be knocked down to allow water to drain.
A senior AAI official told The Hindu that flood levels had been accounted for in planning the extension of the runway, which would be raised high enough to prevent such an incident.
Approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests also requires a public hearing to be held for residents in surrounding areas to voice their concerns. Kancheepuram Collector Santosh K. Misra told The Hindu that the administration will shortly announce when the hearing will be held.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/10/stories/2008051060371200.htm
CHENNAI: The airport expansion project, which involves extension of a runway across the Adyar river, has raised concern among environmentalists, who say the plan will increase the likelihood of flooding in surrounding areas.
As part of its 1069.99 acre, Rs.1,800-crore project, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will extend the 6,500-foot cross runway and build a taxi track across the Adyar river, by constructing a bund over the water. The AAI will also construct a second parallel runway on the river’s northern embankment.
“A runway across the river is dangerous as it will…lead to higher inflow into the river,” warns Ranjit Daniels, director of Care Earth. “Technology may help minimise the flooding of the runway per se, but there is no way the surroundings can be kept safe.”
The Adyar river is the largest outlet from the Chembarambakkam lake, which lies 7 km to the north-west of the proposed site. Dr. Daniels says the river drains rainwater from a much larger surrounding area, most of which was “already choked,” and such a project would affect drainage patterns and increase the likelihood of flooding.
AAI stand
The AAI rejects these concerns. It has already submitted a feasibility report and a rapid Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to the Ministry of Environment and Forests for approval (although only for the first phase of its project, which involves the runway extension). A pre-Public Investment Board meeting for the project is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on Monday, and sources within the AAI indicated that they expect to receive clearance from various Ministries to allow work to begin next month.
The AAI’s feasibility report states there will be “no changes in water bodies or the land surface that will affect drainage or run-off.”
Claims disputed
The Citizen consumer and civic Action Group (CAG), however, disputes these claims.
“The report fails to take into account what the current water availability in the area is, and for an EIA, this is not acceptable and is incomplete,” says Amritha Kasturi Rangan of CAG. “The mitigation measures are not clearly spelled out at all. For instance, the report says waste will be ‘suitably’ disposed of, but they haven’t identified any sites for disposable or how much waste will be generated.”
According to former pilot Capt. A. Ranganathan, flooding isn’t just a threat to surrounding areas, but also to the functioning of the airport. “In 2005, when the whole area flooded, the river level was up to the taxi track level,” he says. In that instance, the airport was temporarily closed and a section of the boundary wall had to be knocked down to allow water to drain.
A senior AAI official told The Hindu that flood levels had been accounted for in planning the extension of the runway, which would be raised high enough to prevent such an incident.
Approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests also requires a public hearing to be held for residents in surrounding areas to voice their concerns. Kancheepuram Collector Santosh K. Misra told The Hindu that the administration will shortly announce when the hearing will be held.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/10/stories/2008051060371200.htm
Patel: modernisation of airports on track
9-May-2008
NEW DELHI: Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Friday said the modernisation programme of 35 non-metro airports was on track and said there was no major delay as many of the airports were under various stages of completion.
Reacting to a letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury — expressing apprehension that airports would go into private hands — Mr. Patel said airport terminals would be constructed, maintained and operated by the public sector Airports Authority of India (AAI). “There are divergent views in the Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) but that does not mean that the Ministry has taken its final view. There is no ambiguity in our approach. We are firm in our commitment and there is no question of going back on it,” he told reporters here.
Joint venture
He said city side development of non-metro airports would be taken up by a joint venture in which the AAI would remain a major partner.
Referring to modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports, he said there were some issues and the process would be completed soon.
In his letter, Mr. Yechury said if Kolkata, Chennai and 35 non-metro airports were privatised, the credibility of the “government will come under question.” He alleged that certain arms of the government were delaying modernisation to facilitate privatisation through the back door.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/10/stories/2008051054731300.htm
NEW DELHI: Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel on Friday said the modernisation programme of 35 non-metro airports was on track and said there was no major delay as many of the airports were under various stages of completion.
Reacting to a letter written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by CPI (M) leader Sitaram Yechury — expressing apprehension that airports would go into private hands — Mr. Patel said airport terminals would be constructed, maintained and operated by the public sector Airports Authority of India (AAI). “There are divergent views in the Inter Ministerial Group (IMG) but that does not mean that the Ministry has taken its final view. There is no ambiguity in our approach. We are firm in our commitment and there is no question of going back on it,” he told reporters here.
Joint venture
He said city side development of non-metro airports would be taken up by a joint venture in which the AAI would remain a major partner.
Referring to modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports, he said there were some issues and the process would be completed soon.
In his letter, Mr. Yechury said if Kolkata, Chennai and 35 non-metro airports were privatised, the credibility of the “government will come under question.” He alleged that certain arms of the government were delaying modernisation to facilitate privatisation through the back door.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/10/stories/2008051054731300.htm
Residents oppose airport expansion
9-May-2008
Chennai: After several attempts at negotiations and an unsuccessful court battle, residents of Manapakkam and Tharapakkam have decided to go all out against the Chennai airport expansion project. More than 100 people who have invested in housing projects promoted by Macro Marvel in Manapakkam and EVP Township in Tharapakkam on Thursday pledged not to hand over their land or houses to the district administration, even though the area has been marked for acquisition.
Two residential projects fall within the area demarcated for acquisition for airport expansion. The government kicked off the land acquisition process when it started sending out notices to residents in November, 2007. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to build a parallel runway, a taxi way and aircraft bays once the land is handed over.
Residents who are already living in Macro Marvel and those who have invested Rs 30 lakh and more on land and house in EVP Housing today protested against the district administration’s move to acquire land at a meeting with district collector Santosh K Mishra.
Residents raised doubts over the AAI’s plan to build a parallel runway when the government had already announced another greenfield airport project. They also demanded that the residential areas located in the periphery of the airport land should be exempted.
They alleged that the state government had misled the people because even after registration of land was frozen at Manapakkam, Tharapakkam, Gerugambakkam, and Kolapakkam, the registrar office at Pammal was registering land, said Sumathi, a resident.
She has purchased 2,000 square feet at a project announced by EVP Township last year. However, the entire project has been marked for acquisition for airport expansion. “This looks like a non-viable project because the documents obtained using right to information shows that the AAI has not applied for clearance from Public Investment Board for constructing a parallel runway,” she said
Karthick, who purchased a 1,350-sq ft house for Rs 24 lakh from EVP said: “We have tried to reason with the collector that there was no need for construction of the parallel runway because three runways cannot be used at a time.”
Collector Santosh Mishra assured the residents that their demands would be conveyed to the state government and the AAI.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/
Chennai: After several attempts at negotiations and an unsuccessful court battle, residents of Manapakkam and Tharapakkam have decided to go all out against the Chennai airport expansion project. More than 100 people who have invested in housing projects promoted by Macro Marvel in Manapakkam and EVP Township in Tharapakkam on Thursday pledged not to hand over their land or houses to the district administration, even though the area has been marked for acquisition.
Two residential projects fall within the area demarcated for acquisition for airport expansion. The government kicked off the land acquisition process when it started sending out notices to residents in November, 2007. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) plans to build a parallel runway, a taxi way and aircraft bays once the land is handed over.
Residents who are already living in Macro Marvel and those who have invested Rs 30 lakh and more on land and house in EVP Housing today protested against the district administration’s move to acquire land at a meeting with district collector Santosh K Mishra.
Residents raised doubts over the AAI’s plan to build a parallel runway when the government had already announced another greenfield airport project. They also demanded that the residential areas located in the periphery of the airport land should be exempted.
They alleged that the state government had misled the people because even after registration of land was frozen at Manapakkam, Tharapakkam, Gerugambakkam, and Kolapakkam, the registrar office at Pammal was registering land, said Sumathi, a resident.
She has purchased 2,000 square feet at a project announced by EVP Township last year. However, the entire project has been marked for acquisition for airport expansion. “This looks like a non-viable project because the documents obtained using right to information shows that the AAI has not applied for clearance from Public Investment Board for constructing a parallel runway,” she said
Karthick, who purchased a 1,350-sq ft house for Rs 24 lakh from EVP said: “We have tried to reason with the collector that there was no need for construction of the parallel runway because three runways cannot be used at a time.”
Collector Santosh Mishra assured the residents that their demands would be conveyed to the state government and the AAI.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Pre-PIB meeting for Chennai airport on May 12
06-May-2008
The development of Chennai airport is likely to be put on the fast track in the next few weeks with the pre-public investment board meeting for the project scheduled to be held here on May 12.
Generally the inter-Ministerial pre-PIB meeting is held to iron out any differences that various ministries have about the project. After the pre-PIB clearance, the project will have to get the nod from the Public Investment Board and finally the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs before work can begin.
The development work is expected to cost Rs 1,808 crore. Sources indicated that consultations have been held with the State Government to acquire 1,069.99 acres of land and hand this to AAI free-of-cost.
The Government has decided that the modernisation of both Chennai and Kolkata airports will be taken up by Airports Authority of India.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/06/stories/2008050651450700.htm
The development of Chennai airport is likely to be put on the fast track in the next few weeks with the pre-public investment board meeting for the project scheduled to be held here on May 12.
Generally the inter-Ministerial pre-PIB meeting is held to iron out any differences that various ministries have about the project. After the pre-PIB clearance, the project will have to get the nod from the Public Investment Board and finally the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs before work can begin.
The development work is expected to cost Rs 1,808 crore. Sources indicated that consultations have been held with the State Government to acquire 1,069.99 acres of land and hand this to AAI free-of-cost.
The Government has decided that the modernisation of both Chennai and Kolkata airports will be taken up by Airports Authority of India.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/06/stories/2008050651450700.htm
Changes in land acquisition plan leave residents angry
06-May-07
Local registrar offices are still allowing the buying and selling of property and the registration of titles in these areas despite a July 9, 2007 Government Order notifying 1,069.99 acres for acquisition at Tharapakkam, Manapakkam, Kolapakkam and Gerugambakkam. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) was directed to freeze building activities in these areas.
“If the government is going to acquire the land, the registration offices should know which property is going to be affected,” says S. Tamilselvan, a Tarapakkam resident.
While some residents have received notification from tahsildars that their land is being acquired, many in this area have not. “And as they are still allowing registrations here, we are not sure whether we have been exempt from the plan or not,” he said.
In a reply to a petition filed by a resident under the Right to Information Act, Pammal Registrar’s Office confirmed that property in parts of Tharapakkam marked out for acquisition were still being registered as late as December 2007. When contacted, an officer said the registrar was yet to receive any government notification about the airport expansion. As such, buying and selling of property was still permissible, and the land acquisition proposal would not figure in encumbrance certificates.
Lack of transparency and alterations in the State Government’s land acquisition plan have left many residents angry and unsure of the fate of their homes. The residents are also aggrieved because they received No-Objection Certificates from the CMDA as late as June 2006, only 11 months before the Government issued its order identifying the land.
In June 2005 though, the CMDA announced freezing of all building activities in Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Tharapakkam, Thanadalam, Kovur, Pozhichalur, Peripanicheri and Cowl Bazaar, when the AIADMK Government first marked out 1,457.50 acres.
The State Government and the AAI have since drastically changed the plan, leaving the residents bitter about the lack of transparency and clarity in the whole exercise.
“If an NOC given by the CMDA itself can be rendered invalid in less than a year, what is the point of getting approval? There has been no transparency in the process,” said a Manapakkam resident.
A Gerugambakkam resident said her family had spent all their savings on buying the property in February 2006. “We had heard about the earlier plan, but we approached the CMDA in March 2006, looked at the survey numbers and were told we were outside the airport expansion plan.” Her family started construction by the end of 2006.
“When we heard about the Government Order [in May 2007], we stopped construction of our house, and it still remains unfinished,” she said. “But we are still forced to pay Rs. 14,000 every month as EMI to the bank, though construction has stopped. We are in a bind, and our dream still remains unfulfilled.”
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/06/stories/2008050660220700.htm
Changes in land acquisition plan leave residents angry
They resent lack of transparency in the exercise
CHENNAI: Even as the Kancheepuram district administration expects to complete land acquisition in a month to allow the airport expansion project to start in June, for the residents in the affected areas, many questions remain unanswered.Local registrar offices are still allowing the buying and selling of property and the registration of titles in these areas despite a July 9, 2007 Government Order notifying 1,069.99 acres for acquisition at Tharapakkam, Manapakkam, Kolapakkam and Gerugambakkam. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) was directed to freeze building activities in these areas.
“If the government is going to acquire the land, the registration offices should know which property is going to be affected,” says S. Tamilselvan, a Tarapakkam resident.
While some residents have received notification from tahsildars that their land is being acquired, many in this area have not. “And as they are still allowing registrations here, we are not sure whether we have been exempt from the plan or not,” he said.
In a reply to a petition filed by a resident under the Right to Information Act, Pammal Registrar’s Office confirmed that property in parts of Tharapakkam marked out for acquisition were still being registered as late as December 2007. When contacted, an officer said the registrar was yet to receive any government notification about the airport expansion. As such, buying and selling of property was still permissible, and the land acquisition proposal would not figure in encumbrance certificates.
Lack of transparency and alterations in the State Government’s land acquisition plan have left many residents angry and unsure of the fate of their homes. The residents are also aggrieved because they received No-Objection Certificates from the CMDA as late as June 2006, only 11 months before the Government issued its order identifying the land.
In June 2005 though, the CMDA announced freezing of all building activities in Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Tharapakkam, Thanadalam, Kovur, Pozhichalur, Peripanicheri and Cowl Bazaar, when the AIADMK Government first marked out 1,457.50 acres.
The State Government and the AAI have since drastically changed the plan, leaving the residents bitter about the lack of transparency and clarity in the whole exercise.
“If an NOC given by the CMDA itself can be rendered invalid in less than a year, what is the point of getting approval? There has been no transparency in the process,” said a Manapakkam resident.
A Gerugambakkam resident said her family had spent all their savings on buying the property in February 2006. “We had heard about the earlier plan, but we approached the CMDA in March 2006, looked at the survey numbers and were told we were outside the airport expansion plan.” Her family started construction by the end of 2006.
“When we heard about the Government Order [in May 2007], we stopped construction of our house, and it still remains unfinished,” she said. “But we are still forced to pay Rs. 14,000 every month as EMI to the bank, though construction has stopped. We are in a bind, and our dream still remains unfulfilled.”
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/06/stories/2008050660220700.htm
Airport expansion work to begin next month
04-May-2008
Project was delayed by problems in acquiring land
Second runway, extension of cross runway planned
CHENNAI: After more than eight years of delays and debates, the Chennai airport expansion project is finally set to take off. Work will begin on the Rs.1,800-crore project next month and will be completed by June 2011, more than eight years behind the initial AAI schedule, Airports Authority of India sources have told The Hindu .
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi also confirmed on Saturday that the foundation stone for the project would be laid in June. The expansion and modernisation project was delayed by problems in acquiring 1069.99 acres at Manappakkam, Kolappakkam. Tharapakkam and Gerugambakkam the State government had marked out, following writ petitions filed by residents.
The Madras High Court on March 28 dismissed the petitions and directed the Kancheepuram District Collector to begin issuing notices to 947 landholders.
The AAI has confirmed that utilising the acquired land, it will construct a second runway, parallel to the existing 12,000-feet main runway, and extend the 6,500-foot cross runway that has been in operation since December.
The AAI envisages having two parallel runways in operation will significantly enhance the airport’s handling capacity to 50 flights an hour, and allow it to meet the demands of air traffic until at least 2016. Chennai airport can currently handle 28 aircraft movements an hour.
The AAI will shortly also begin work on expanding and modernising the domestic and international terminals. It will construct additional domestic and international terminals on either side of the existing terminal building. When completed, the four-building integrated terminal will be able to handle 20 crore passengers annually — double the current capacity.
A senior AAI official says the go-ahead for the expansion plan and added capacity will give them more breathing space to complete the greenfield airport project in Sriperumbudur, which was initially slated for completion in 2015.
The State Government is now considering constructing a railway line from Avadi and an expressway to the proposed site, in order to avoid the connectivity problems seen in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Given that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has indicated that existing airports will not be closed when Greenfield projects are ready, come 2016, Chennaites can expect to have two airports to fly home to.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/04/stories/2008050455840100.htm
Project was delayed by problems in acquiring land
Second runway, extension of cross runway planned
CHENNAI: After more than eight years of delays and debates, the Chennai airport expansion project is finally set to take off. Work will begin on the Rs.1,800-crore project next month and will be completed by June 2011, more than eight years behind the initial AAI schedule, Airports Authority of India sources have told The Hindu .
Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi also confirmed on Saturday that the foundation stone for the project would be laid in June. The expansion and modernisation project was delayed by problems in acquiring 1069.99 acres at Manappakkam, Kolappakkam. Tharapakkam and Gerugambakkam the State government had marked out, following writ petitions filed by residents.
The Madras High Court on March 28 dismissed the petitions and directed the Kancheepuram District Collector to begin issuing notices to 947 landholders.
The AAI has confirmed that utilising the acquired land, it will construct a second runway, parallel to the existing 12,000-feet main runway, and extend the 6,500-foot cross runway that has been in operation since December.
The AAI envisages having two parallel runways in operation will significantly enhance the airport’s handling capacity to 50 flights an hour, and allow it to meet the demands of air traffic until at least 2016. Chennai airport can currently handle 28 aircraft movements an hour.
The AAI will shortly also begin work on expanding and modernising the domestic and international terminals. It will construct additional domestic and international terminals on either side of the existing terminal building. When completed, the four-building integrated terminal will be able to handle 20 crore passengers annually — double the current capacity.
A senior AAI official says the go-ahead for the expansion plan and added capacity will give them more breathing space to complete the greenfield airport project in Sriperumbudur, which was initially slated for completion in 2015.
The State Government is now considering constructing a railway line from Avadi and an expressway to the proposed site, in order to avoid the connectivity problems seen in Bangalore and Hyderabad. Given that the Ministry of Civil Aviation has indicated that existing airports will not be closed when Greenfield projects are ready, come 2016, Chennaites can expect to have two airports to fly home to.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/04/stories/2008050455840100.htm
Karunanidhi accuses PMK of hindering developmental activities
04-May-2008
Chennai (PTI): Accusing his ally PMK founder S Ramadoss of hindering developmental activities in the state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Satur day said when he was demanding setting up of industries in backward districts, he was opposing acquisition of land for the purpose.Writing in the DMK mouthpiece Murasoli,he said when Tatas proposed to set up a Titanium Project in the backward Tuticorin district,Ramadoss protested against acquiring land for the purpose. 'Because of this, the factory is yet to be set up, thereby denying hundreds of youngsters employment opportunities,' he said.Ramadoss also protested against setting up of a Special Economic Zone at Hosur, again a backward area, he said.
On Ramadoss remarks that the state was yet to take steps on establishing a new airport while new airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore were already commissioned or to be commissioned soon, Karunanidhi said when the government wanted to acquire land for the expansion of Chennai airport, the PMK leader had charged that the government was planning to usurp 800 acres of land. However, work would begin on the expansion next month, he said.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200805031964.htm
Chennai (PTI): Accusing his ally PMK founder S Ramadoss of hindering developmental activities in the state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Satur day said when he was demanding setting up of industries in backward districts, he was opposing acquisition of land for the purpose.Writing in the DMK mouthpiece Murasoli,he said when Tatas proposed to set up a Titanium Project in the backward Tuticorin district,Ramadoss protested against acquiring land for the purpose. 'Because of this, the factory is yet to be set up, thereby denying hundreds of youngsters employment opportunities,' he said.Ramadoss also protested against setting up of a Special Economic Zone at Hosur, again a backward area, he said.
On Ramadoss remarks that the state was yet to take steps on establishing a new airport while new airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore were already commissioned or to be commissioned soon, Karunanidhi said when the government wanted to acquire land for the expansion of Chennai airport, the PMK leader had charged that the government was planning to usurp 800 acres of land. However, work would begin on the expansion next month, he said.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200805031964.htm
Sunday, April 27, 2008
SECONDARY RUNWAY IN TAKEOFF MODE
26-Apr-2008
After Its Expansion By 1,400 Metres, Chennai Will See An Increased Traffic Of Bigger Planes Like 747s And A-300s
V Ayyappan TNN
Chennai: As the fate of the Chennai airport expansion plan — construction of a parallel runway, taxi way and a terminal — has run into land acquisition problems, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has decided to speed up the extension of the 2,085-m secondary runway by 1,400 metres as a temporary measure.
Currently, the secondary runway is only used by small aircraft including 70-seater ATRs which fly on shorter routes such as Chennai-Madurai. Extending this runway will allow the airport to use it for landings and take-offs for wide-bodied aircraft such as 747s and A-300s as well. Air Traffic controllers are currently being trained to handle flights on the existing runway and the secondary one simultaneously, said a senior official. This will help the airport to handle additional traffic.
The decision to extend the secondary runway has been taken in light of the fact that the state government has expressed difficulty in acquiring 1,069 acres of land required west of Adyar river for building a new parallel runway. The government has so far acquired just 300 acres of the identified land because costs of acquisition have become prohibitive.
This has come as a blow to the AAI which was gearing up to execute the expansion plan after Ma-dras High Court cleared the project by dismissing objections raised by residents and builders in the area. The airport which handles 7.5 million passengers every year, is now left with just one option to augment aircraft handling capacity - extend the secondary runway and install an Instrument Landing System (ILS) to make it capable of h o s t i n g landings. This will then help the airport to han-dle an additional 23 flights per hour as against the current 27 per hour.
Struggling to cope with the rise in traffic — close to 400 operations everyday — it was only recently that the AAI opened the secondary runway at Chennai for takeoffs by small aircraft. The cross runway operations thereby helped the airport to transfer take-offs of smaller aircraft like ATRs used by low-cost airlines from the 3,658-metre primary runway to the smaller secondary runway, said airport director Dinesh Kumar.
Speeding up the extension of the secondary runway will be easier than pushing for a parallel run-way because of two reasons: only 140 acres of land is required for it and the ministry of civil avia-tion has already applied for clearance for the project from the Public Investment Board and the ministry of environment and forests. The only likely impediment will be faced by the technical wing because the runway has to be ex-tended over the river - a spot prone to flooding during rains.
To coincide with the runway expansion, AAI is also planning to build a massive 70,000 square me-ter domestic passenger terminal II on the northern side of the existing domestic terminal. "The first floor will be used for departure while second floor will be used for arrival,” said Dinesh Kumar. From an annual growth rate of 11 per cent in 2001-2002, passenger movement in Chennai has shot up to 51 per cent in 2006-2007.
The new terminal would bring about massive addition of space and in turn augment passenger handling capacity, he said. “The new terminal is expected to take care of the domestic passenger growth expected in the next five years. The idea is to equip the airport to handle more passengers by the time the expansion works gets going.”
Construction will be funded from the Rs 1,800 crore earmarked for the expansion project, he added. Incidentally, the expansion plan is well behind schedule — the targeted date of completion was 2010. AAI chairman K Ramalingam said construction of the parallel runway would be taken up in due course despite the cost escalation and trouble in land acquisition. “Many such works will be handled in phases,” he said.
10 more parking bays in 2009
Chennai: The Airports Authority of India is all set to lift the passenger facilities and aesthetics of the Chennai airport to international standards by 2010. A
short-term infrastructure augmentation programme — including modernization of existing terminals, construction of more parking bays, installation of stateof-the-art weather monitoring systems and air traffic control equipment — has been kicked off for better handling of passenger and aircraft traffic. “We are working to make Chennai airport on a par with the best airports in the world,” said Dinesh Kumar, the airport director.
Ten more parking bays will be built next year. Four of them will be large enough to accommodate the wide-bodied 747. Three remote aircraft parking stands, big enough to park the giant Airbus 380, have already been built as more airlines have asked for permission to operate out of Chennai. At present, the airport has 57 aircraft parking bays.
As part of modernisation, the domestic terminal space was increased by 980 sq mt and the first floor opened for departures. Today, the domestic terminal is spread over is 19,000 sq mt, which includes departure I and departure II. International arrival is being modernized through renovation of the existing terminal in two phases. The first phase saw setting up of four green channel counters, 10 red channel customs counters and six inclined bay baggage conveyor belts, a unique feature. The second phase is in progress. At present, the international terminal is spread over 37,156 sq mt.
Passengers who use the airport frequently also feel the need for upgradation of facilities. “The number of check-in counters, baggage-scanning machines and security-check counters need to be doubled in both domestic and international terminals,” says D Sudhakara Reddy, president of Air Passenger Association of India.
“The 32 check-in counters in each terminal are not adequate to handle the steep rise in passenger traffic. There are long queues every day, affecting departure of the flights during peak hours,” an airline official said.
www.timesofindia.comSunday, April 20, 2008
Second intenational airport likely 9 years before schedule
19-Apr-2008
Second intenational airport likely 9 years before schedule
Target Date 2015 As Present
Airport's Expansion Stalls
CHENNAI: The city is likely to get a spanking new airport by 2015, nine years before the earlier D-day. The greenfield project will be taken up on 4,822 acres of land near Sriperumbudur, northwest of Chennai, at an estimated cost of Rs 3,500 crore. The dates have been advanced in light of certain trouble — largely relating to land acquisition — that cropped up in the Rs 2,350-crore modernisation and expansion project of Kamaraj International Airport at Meenambakkam.
Unlike Bangalore and Hyderabad, Chennai's old airport will not be shut down when the new one comes up. Rather, the city will have two airports like those planned in Delhi and Mumbai. The search for a private consortium to build the airport will start soon. It will be offered a 74% stake, while the state and central governments will hold 13% each.
Officials told The Times of India that the state government had expressed difficulty in acquiring the 1,069 acres of land required west of the Adyar river for building a parallel runway as part of phase-II of the Meenambakkam expansion plan. It is proving tough to get more than 300 acres of the land identified as the costs are prohibitively high. It's also difficult to clear the entire area of habitation, a state government official said.
At current prices, the government estimates it will cost Rs 2,000 crore to acquire the land. Besides, the Madras High Court recently ruled that the government could acquire land, but it's learnt that chief minister M Karunanidhi is not keen on displacing too many households in the area as he anticipates an adverse political fallout.
In the wake of these developments, the civil aviation ministry, in consultation with the state government, decided to speed up the greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur. Land for the new airport can be acquired easily as it belongs to the government.
Joint secretary, ministry of civil aviation, K N Shrivastava said air traffic was likely to grow faster in Chennai than earlier projected and would justify the decision on a new airport. The ministry will set up a committee to decide how flights will be distributed between the two airports. It is too early to be specific on which flights (international, domestic and low-cost airlines) will operate from where, an official said.
New airport is a high priority: Secy
Chennai: Tamil Nadu transport secretary Debendranath Sarangi has confirmed that the state government was pressing the Centre to take up the Sriperumbudur airport project on a priority basis because the Meenambakkam airport would not be able to handle the growing traffic demands beyond 2015.
Sarangi said a feasibility study was being undertaken by the Airports Authority of India. The Meenambakkam airport and the proposed airport at Sriperumbudur are separated by 25 km as the crow flies and will not come in each other's path, he said.
Chennai handles 10 million passengers a year, and the passenger traffic is projected to grow to 22 million over the next 10 to 12 years when the planned construction of a parallel runway and a second terminal at Meenambakkam phase-II is completed, an AAI official said.
But if the government decides not to acquire land adjacent to the airport, a new airport becomes an absolute necessity.
Work on lengthening the secondary runway at Meenambakkam, from 6,900 to 10,000 feet, is on as part of the phase-I expansion. Once that is done, it will ease pressure on Meenambakkam and with some deft management can keep the traffic going until 2015.
Chennai may miss out on aviation boom
16-Apr-2008
“If airport doesn’t enhance capacity, airlines will choose Bangalore and Hyderabad”
CHENNAI: Chennai is tumbling down the pecking order of airports in the south.Given the continuing congestion and infrastructure woes at the Chennai airport, coupled with the setting up of new airports with world-class facilities in Hyderabad and Bangalore, the city risks missing out on the aviation boom in the south.
In the last 10 months, passenger traffic grew by 28 per cent in Bangalore compared to 20 per cent in Chennai. Bangalore handled 84 lakh passengers during this period. The brand new facility at Devanahalli is equipped to handle more than 1 crore passengers a year. Chennai, however, is already close to operating at the full capacity of 89 lakh passengers, airport officials say.“If Chennai doesn’t enhance its capacity, airlines will naturally choose Bangalore and Hyderabad,” M. Thiagarajan, managing director of Paramount Airways, which has a 26 per cent market share in the south, told The Hindu.
After legal wrangles that delayed the airport expansion and modernisation project by almost three years, work on expanding and improving the airport’s infrastructure is set to start on April 24. But, it may take at least another three years before the parallel runway is fully operational to allow a significant growth in handling capacity.
“The modernisation has come a bit too late,” says D. Sudhakara Reddy, president, Air Passengers Association of India. “Until we are ready to handle extra loads and new airlines start coming in, they will prefer flying to other airports. Chennai has so far been the gateway to the south, but unless there is a rapid modernisation, it will lose its primacy.”
Hyderabad has the added advantage of offering cheaper aviation turbine fuel (ATF) to air carriers. The Andhra Pradesh government has reduced the cess on ATF to four per cent, as compared to 30 per cent in Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Thiagarajan said Paramount was looking at substantially adding to its flights in Bangalore and Hyderabad in the next few months to make the most of the new infrastructure. However, the airports had to quickly sort out their teething troubles such as the high user development charges and connectivity issues.
Capt. G.R. Gopinath, executive chairman of Deccan airlines, told The Hindu that if Chennai was to keep pace with the growth in the south, mere expansion of the airport was not enough: the city also needed to quickly complete its greenfield airport project at Sriperumbudur to substantially enhance the handling capacity. “With the growth we are experiencing, cities undoubtedly require multiple airports,” he said. “Chennai must learn from the mistakes [made in Bangalore and Hyderabad] and not create a monopoly.”
He urged the airport authorities to provide adequate connectivity. “We expect the greenfield airport to come up in four or five years in Chennai, and unlike what happened in Bangalore, we should make sure both the metro rail project and the airport are built concurrently.”
http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/16/stories/2008041660320700.htm
AAI to upgrade Kolkata, Chennai airports
11-Apr-2008
NEW DELHI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will upgrade the Kolkata and Chennai airports at a cost of Rs 3,800 crore.
“AAI will spend Rs. 2,000 crore to modernise the Kolkata airport and Rs. 1,800 crore for the Chennai airport. The modernisation process has to be completed by 2010-11,” Chairman K. Ramalingam said here on Thursday.
In Kolkata, a new runway would be laid along the existing one. In Chennai, the existing cross runway would be operationalised and an additional runway built.
“The in-principle approval for the modernisation plans of the two airports has been given.” The projects would be carried out solely by AAI.
3rd runway in Delhi
A third runway at the Delhi airport would be commissioned by September.
Speaking at the inauguration of ‘Aerodrome India 2008’, a three-day international exhibition on airport infrastructure, security and services, Mr. Ramalingam said there was need to build aviation infrastructure at a faster rate to manage traffic and build capacity at airports.
Indian airports handled 73.3 million passengers and 1.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2005-06. Civil aviation is expected to enjoy a compounded growth of about 25 per cent per annum for the next 10 years, according to official estimates.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/11/stories/2008041153991400.htm
NEW DELHI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will upgrade the Kolkata and Chennai airports at a cost of Rs 3,800 crore.
“AAI will spend Rs. 2,000 crore to modernise the Kolkata airport and Rs. 1,800 crore for the Chennai airport. The modernisation process has to be completed by 2010-11,” Chairman K. Ramalingam said here on Thursday.
In Kolkata, a new runway would be laid along the existing one. In Chennai, the existing cross runway would be operationalised and an additional runway built.
“The in-principle approval for the modernisation plans of the two airports has been given.” The projects would be carried out solely by AAI.
3rd runway in Delhi
A third runway at the Delhi airport would be commissioned by September.
Speaking at the inauguration of ‘Aerodrome India 2008’, a three-day international exhibition on airport infrastructure, security and services, Mr. Ramalingam said there was need to build aviation infrastructure at a faster rate to manage traffic and build capacity at airports.
Indian airports handled 73.3 million passengers and 1.4 million tonnes of cargo in 2005-06. Civil aviation is expected to enjoy a compounded growth of about 25 per cent per annum for the next 10 years, according to official estimates.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/11/stories/2008041153991400.htm
AAI shortlists six cos for airports revamp
11-Apr-2008
About Modernisation and Greenfield Airport
NEW DELHI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has shortlisted six companies, including domestic major L&T, for executing the Rs 3,800-crore Chennai and Kolkata airports modernisation projects. About 15 international construction majors had approached the AAI to get these projects.
According to sources, the shortlisted companies include ITD (Hong Kong), Ssangyong (Malaysia) and M/s TAV Tepe Akfen (Turkey). L&T, which has bagged contracts for modernising Delhi and Mumbai airports from GMR and GVK, is also in the race for Kolkata and Chennai. The foreign companies have Indian partners for their airport JVs.
AAI is learnt to have shortlisted three companies for being appointed as project management consultants, who would oversee the implementation of these two projects on a turnkey basis. Leading firms like US-based Louis Berger Group are among the shortlisted companies, said the sources.
The Kolkata airport will be modernised at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore and Chennai for Rs 1,800 crore. The AAI had received 11 applications for Kolkata and 12 for Chennai expansion programmes from construction majors of Korean, Thailand, America, Europe and other countries. The global names included Greece's AEGEK General Construction; Malaysia's Muhibbah Engineering and Britain's largest privately owned construction firm Laing O'Rourke.
The committee of infrastructure headed by PM Manmohan Singh had approved the Kolkata modernisation project last April and Chennai proposal in June. The government had initially promised that work would start in January or by February, 2008.
Kolkata airport modernisation has so far got pre-Public Investment Board (PIB) clearance but awaits PIB and CCEA nod. Chennai is yet to get all these three clearances. Aviation minister Praful Patel wants these projects to begin on time so that they can meet the 2010-11 deadline. So even as technical approvals are awaited, AAI was asked to go ahead and do its bit so that work can begin on ground as soon as all required clearances come.
"Work was to begin this February. Which means already there is a delay and unless clearances come in fast, meeting the deadline of 2010-11 could be an uphill task," said sources, reflecting a "general feeling" that AAI projects don't get the same sense of urgency as private ones do.
Tamil Nadu government has also identified 5,000 acres of land near Sripeumbudur for building the second airport for Chennai. AAI is doing pre-feasibility studies as the state government wants the second airport to be ready in time.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/AAI_shortlists_six_cos_for_airports_revamp/articleshow/2942556.cms
About Modernisation and Greenfield Airport
NEW DELHI: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has shortlisted six companies, including domestic major L&T, for executing the Rs 3,800-crore Chennai and Kolkata airports modernisation projects. About 15 international construction majors had approached the AAI to get these projects.
According to sources, the shortlisted companies include ITD (Hong Kong), Ssangyong (Malaysia) and M/s TAV Tepe Akfen (Turkey). L&T, which has bagged contracts for modernising Delhi and Mumbai airports from GMR and GVK, is also in the race for Kolkata and Chennai. The foreign companies have Indian partners for their airport JVs.
AAI is learnt to have shortlisted three companies for being appointed as project management consultants, who would oversee the implementation of these two projects on a turnkey basis. Leading firms like US-based Louis Berger Group are among the shortlisted companies, said the sources.
The Kolkata airport will be modernised at a cost of Rs 2,000 crore and Chennai for Rs 1,800 crore. The AAI had received 11 applications for Kolkata and 12 for Chennai expansion programmes from construction majors of Korean, Thailand, America, Europe and other countries. The global names included Greece's AEGEK General Construction; Malaysia's Muhibbah Engineering and Britain's largest privately owned construction firm Laing O'Rourke.
The committee of infrastructure headed by PM Manmohan Singh had approved the Kolkata modernisation project last April and Chennai proposal in June. The government had initially promised that work would start in January or by February, 2008.
Kolkata airport modernisation has so far got pre-Public Investment Board (PIB) clearance but awaits PIB and CCEA nod. Chennai is yet to get all these three clearances. Aviation minister Praful Patel wants these projects to begin on time so that they can meet the 2010-11 deadline. So even as technical approvals are awaited, AAI was asked to go ahead and do its bit so that work can begin on ground as soon as all required clearances come.
"Work was to begin this February. Which means already there is a delay and unless clearances come in fast, meeting the deadline of 2010-11 could be an uphill task," said sources, reflecting a "general feeling" that AAI projects don't get the same sense of urgency as private ones do.
Tamil Nadu government has also identified 5,000 acres of land near Sripeumbudur for building the second airport for Chennai. AAI is doing pre-feasibility studies as the state government wants the second airport to be ready in time.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/AAI_shortlists_six_cos_for_airports_revamp/articleshow/2942556.cms
Saturday, April 19, 2008
London Gatwick and Chennai — The tale of two airports
02-Apr-2008
From the beginning of this century, Indian aviation has been projected to be shining. But the clear skies are often clouded with the darkness of inefficiency and corruption. Maybe, Indian aviation should learn from Albert Einstein’s famous saying: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning”
The airport expansion plans have been worked out by various committees, Parliament delegations, etc. Projections have been made by the Civil Aviation Ministry, the DGCA, Airports Authority of India, several aviation agencies and experts and the airlines too.
Learn from yesterday
Let us look at the last 25 years of the 20th century. What was the projected growth and what was the realised growth? We had a flood of airlines joining the fray and most of them, along with the poor trusting investors, bit the dust. Only three survived and one of them had the financial support of the government which doled out largesse from tax-payer’s money. Inefficiency was overlooked and corruption went into overdrive to sustain the system.
Live for today
We started this century with a lot of fanfare. Projections and comparisons with other growing nations were dished out. How can we let the Chinese dragon get ahead? We have to announce growth projections that humble the dragon. We have airlines announcing orders for hundreds of aircraft. Never mind if we don’t have the pilots to fly them. Never mind if we don’t have the engineers to maintain them. And never mind if we don’t have air traffic controllers to man the crucial system, on which safety in the air largely depends.
For Indian aviation to shine, a day has 48 hours and not 24 hours that an ordinary mortal is used to. We announce that our airports are congested and we need more airports, bigger airports and greener airports. We have to prove to the world that we are better than China and we can build better airports than Singapore. Are we anywhere near achieving these hopes?
To fill the over-capacity on an aeroplane, we sell tickets at well below sustainable levels. We fill up the skies with uneconomical flights and create chaos at airports, which cannot handle the traffic because of inefficiency and outdated procedures. And based on this overstated and over-estimated average, we build growth rate castles in the air.
Let us accept our limitations. In five years we could not create the infrastructure for new airports in two cities. And we have started talking about 500 airports! Let us run the current airports efficiently and to optimum levels. Blowing up public funds on Utopian projects is not the way to growth.
Hope for tomorrow
Take the case of what is happening to the new airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore. The bankruptcy of our system is exposed with those two projects. As long as this coalition dharma of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats runs the system, there is no hope. All the projects and all the money involved in executing them will go down the drain. And it is the hard-earned money of every taxpayer that is wasted by this incompetence.
We have the expertise in India but we choose to ignore the competent but promote the incompetent. Our current airports are quite capable of handling 50 movements an hour using efficient systems and procedures. If the projections indicate a growth beyond this figure from 2015, let us realise that we have seven more years to plan and execute the requirement. The important thing is to not stop questioning
Take the case of Chennai airport. Plans are made for expansion. It is announced that the traffic potential is so large that the airport needs a parallel runway, that the second runway has to be extended, displacing thousands of honest, tax-paying citizens. What is this exercise for, is the question that every taxpayer should ask.
Chennai airport handles 129,575 aircraft movements a year. This is based on the 355 movements per day that Airports Authority of India has given out. The airport is open for 24 hours of operation. There are just a few hours when the traffic peaks to around 28 movements in an hour.
The AAI has projected that, by 2015 there will be 50 movement an hour. For this grand increase, more than Rs 1,000 crore is to be spent to build the second runway, displacing a 1,000 families from their residences, paying a pittance as compensation and, in the process, filling several deep pockets.
Compare this with London Gatwick airport, which is similar to the Chennai airport in its layout. Gatwick has a single runway that is used just like Chennai’s. But the big difference is, Gatwick handled 266,550 aircraft movements in 2007. This is more than double the traffic that Chennai airport has and is more than the projected traffic for Chennai in 2015. Does Gatwick clamour for a second runway? Does it give excuses? How does it manage this large traffic flow? Simply because of ‘efficiency’ and ‘correct procedures’.
These taxiways are angled at about 30-45 degrees from the runway alignment. This enables the aircraft to leave the runway, after landing, at a high speed of 50-55 knots. Chennai has the taxi exits at 90 degrees to the runway alignment. Because of this, planes have to slow down to exit the runways safely. This would mean a slightly longer runway occupancy time of around 15-20 seconds more for each flight.
Runway maintenance
Another factor is the quality of runway maintenance. The exit points on the runway at Gatwick are clear of rubber deposits and the maintenance procedures are as per ICAO requirements. The exit points of Chennai airport have heavy rubber deposits and we use outdated rubber removal procedures.
The air traffic flow is also different in London and in Indian airspace. ICAO requires a minimum of 1 minute separation between aircrafts. This will amount to about 4 nautical miles between aircrafts. In India, the ATC use more than 8 nautical miles. This slows down traffic enormously.
Flooding
Chennai does not require the parallel runway nor does it need the expansion of the second runway. I wonder whether the geographical layout of the terrain was ever considered. At the intersection of the two runways, the elevation is around 15 metres.
At the threshold of Runway 12 (the beginning of the second runway) the elevation is just 9 metres. If this portion is extended across the Adyar river, the mid-point of the river is just 2 metres in elevation. Crossing over to the north, across the river, the elevation is close to 12 metres. Anyone with ‘Google Earth’ can see this clearly.
It doesn’t require rocket science to recognise that this cup-like formation is bound to suffer severe flooding during moderate to heavy rains. We saw what happened to the present airport when the sky opened up in November 2005. The authorities had to break portions of the airport compound wall to let out the flood waters which threatened the airport.
If the extension of the second runway is to be usable, they will have to spend crores of rupees to fill the entire central section to raise the level. This, in turn, will result in blocking the overflow of excess water from Chembarambakkam lake. Does anyone care about the hundreds of families who will be affected by this?
Let us remember what Mahatma Gandhi said: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”.
(The author, an airline pilot with 19,000 hours experience, specialises in accident prevention studies.)
Capt A. Ranganathan
From the beginning of this century, Indian aviation has been projected to be shining. But the clear skies are often clouded with the darkness of inefficiency and corruption. Maybe, Indian aviation should learn from Albert Einstein’s famous saying: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is to not stop questioning”
The airport expansion plans have been worked out by various committees, Parliament delegations, etc. Projections have been made by the Civil Aviation Ministry, the DGCA, Airports Authority of India, several aviation agencies and experts and the airlines too.
Learn from yesterday
Let us look at the last 25 years of the 20th century. What was the projected growth and what was the realised growth? We had a flood of airlines joining the fray and most of them, along with the poor trusting investors, bit the dust. Only three survived and one of them had the financial support of the government which doled out largesse from tax-payer’s money. Inefficiency was overlooked and corruption went into overdrive to sustain the system.
Live for today
We started this century with a lot of fanfare. Projections and comparisons with other growing nations were dished out. How can we let the Chinese dragon get ahead? We have to announce growth projections that humble the dragon. We have airlines announcing orders for hundreds of aircraft. Never mind if we don’t have the pilots to fly them. Never mind if we don’t have the engineers to maintain them. And never mind if we don’t have air traffic controllers to man the crucial system, on which safety in the air largely depends.
For Indian aviation to shine, a day has 48 hours and not 24 hours that an ordinary mortal is used to. We announce that our airports are congested and we need more airports, bigger airports and greener airports. We have to prove to the world that we are better than China and we can build better airports than Singapore. Are we anywhere near achieving these hopes?
To fill the over-capacity on an aeroplane, we sell tickets at well below sustainable levels. We fill up the skies with uneconomical flights and create chaos at airports, which cannot handle the traffic because of inefficiency and outdated procedures. And based on this overstated and over-estimated average, we build growth rate castles in the air.
Let us accept our limitations. In five years we could not create the infrastructure for new airports in two cities. And we have started talking about 500 airports! Let us run the current airports efficiently and to optimum levels. Blowing up public funds on Utopian projects is not the way to growth.
Hope for tomorrow
Take the case of what is happening to the new airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore. The bankruptcy of our system is exposed with those two projects. As long as this coalition dharma of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats runs the system, there is no hope. All the projects and all the money involved in executing them will go down the drain. And it is the hard-earned money of every taxpayer that is wasted by this incompetence.
We have the expertise in India but we choose to ignore the competent but promote the incompetent. Our current airports are quite capable of handling 50 movements an hour using efficient systems and procedures. If the projections indicate a growth beyond this figure from 2015, let us realise that we have seven more years to plan and execute the requirement. The important thing is to not stop questioning
Take the case of Chennai airport. Plans are made for expansion. It is announced that the traffic potential is so large that the airport needs a parallel runway, that the second runway has to be extended, displacing thousands of honest, tax-paying citizens. What is this exercise for, is the question that every taxpayer should ask.
Chennai airport handles 129,575 aircraft movements a year. This is based on the 355 movements per day that Airports Authority of India has given out. The airport is open for 24 hours of operation. There are just a few hours when the traffic peaks to around 28 movements in an hour.
The AAI has projected that, by 2015 there will be 50 movement an hour. For this grand increase, more than Rs 1,000 crore is to be spent to build the second runway, displacing a 1,000 families from their residences, paying a pittance as compensation and, in the process, filling several deep pockets.
Compare this with London Gatwick airport, which is similar to the Chennai airport in its layout. Gatwick has a single runway that is used just like Chennai’s. But the big difference is, Gatwick handled 266,550 aircraft movements in 2007. This is more than double the traffic that Chennai airport has and is more than the projected traffic for Chennai in 2015. Does Gatwick clamour for a second runway? Does it give excuses? How does it manage this large traffic flow? Simply because of ‘efficiency’ and ‘correct procedures’.
The only difference between Chennai airport and Gatwick is the ‘Rapid Exit Taxiways”. Gatwick has a minimum of two rapid exit taxiways at either end of the runway.
These taxiways are angled at about 30-45 degrees from the runway alignment. This enables the aircraft to leave the runway, after landing, at a high speed of 50-55 knots. Chennai has the taxi exits at 90 degrees to the runway alignment. Because of this, planes have to slow down to exit the runways safely. This would mean a slightly longer runway occupancy time of around 15-20 seconds more for each flight.
Runway maintenance
Another factor is the quality of runway maintenance. The exit points on the runway at Gatwick are clear of rubber deposits and the maintenance procedures are as per ICAO requirements. The exit points of Chennai airport have heavy rubber deposits and we use outdated rubber removal procedures.
The air traffic flow is also different in London and in Indian airspace. ICAO requires a minimum of 1 minute separation between aircrafts. This will amount to about 4 nautical miles between aircrafts. In India, the ATC use more than 8 nautical miles. This slows down traffic enormously.
Moreover, the ATC uses the same distance separation, irrespective of the speed of the aircraft. You may have a turboprop aircraft coming for landing at Chennai at six miles. This would take a minimum of three minutes for landing. Yet, a jet aircraft waiting for take off will not be permitted to enter the runway and take off, even though it would take just one minute to be airborne. This over-cautiousness also results in slow traffic flow.
An efficient air traffic control system uses positive speed control to maintain this minimum separation. Aircraft are specified definite speeds to be maintained at different distances from the runway. They have to comply with this speed control. If an aircraft is found to be too fast or slow, the offending aircraft is alerted. If this disregard for speed control continues, the aircraft is taken out of sequence. Discipline has to be enforced.
Flooding
Chennai does not require the parallel runway nor does it need the expansion of the second runway. I wonder whether the geographical layout of the terrain was ever considered. At the intersection of the two runways, the elevation is around 15 metres.
At the threshold of Runway 12 (the beginning of the second runway) the elevation is just 9 metres. If this portion is extended across the Adyar river, the mid-point of the river is just 2 metres in elevation. Crossing over to the north, across the river, the elevation is close to 12 metres. Anyone with ‘Google Earth’ can see this clearly.
If the extension of the second runway is to be usable, they will have to spend crores of rupees to fill the entire central section to raise the level. This, in turn, will result in blocking the overflow of excess water from Chembarambakkam lake. Does anyone care about the hundreds of families who will be affected by this?
Let us remember what Mahatma Gandhi said: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”.
(The author, an airline pilot with 19,000 hours experience, specialises in accident prevention studies.)
Petitions challenging G.O. on acquiring land for airport expansion dismissed
28-Mar-2008
“Absolutely no merit in challenge raised against the acquisition”
State entitled to proceed with acquisition, hand over lands to airport: Bench
CHENNAI: The decks were cleared on Thursday for acquiring lands for Chennai airport expansion with the Madras High Court dismissing petitions challenging a government order directing the District Collector, Kancheepuram, to issue notice to land holders for acquisition purposes.
Dismissing a batch of writ petitions, the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice Prabha Sridevan, said it found absolutely no merit in the challenge raised against the acquisition proceedings by the State government under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act (TNALIPA) and the notices issued under the legislation.
The Bench heard arguments by Advocate-General, G. Masilamani, Assistant Solicitor-General of India P. Wilson and Airports Authority of India (AAI) counsel V.T. Gopalan, and K.M. Vijayan and N.R. Chandran for the petitioners. It held the State was entitled to proceed with the acquisition and hand over the lands to the airport authority.
The petitioners contended that the State government lacked competence to acquire the land for airport expansion as the field was occupied by Central legislation, namely the Airports Authority of India Act.
Even assuming that the acquisition could be made by the State, the same could not be done under the TNALIPA as the airport was neither an industrial area, industrial estate or an industry for the purpose of the Act for which acquisition could be made. Environmental clearance was a must for the proposed project and the same ought to have been obtained before the acquisition proceedings were initiated.
A petitioner contended that what was contemplated was only an extension of secondary runway crossing the Adyar river, which would require only 300 acres. Hence, 1,069.99 acres, spread over Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam villages, proposed for acquisition, were not required.
The Bench held that in the light of decided cases, it was clear that acquisition was an independent power. It said Mr. Gopalan and Mr. Wilson had given a categorical assurance that no construction activity would commence on the land before obtaining all environmental clearances. An application for necessary clearance had already been made.
The Advocate-General assured the court that if objections were filed on or before April 26, the District Collector would consider them on merit.
The Judges said a writ petition had been filed by the management of a residential school having more than 1,500 students. The Advocate-General assured the court that if the institution made a representation, the State would consider allotting alternative land for it in the nearby areas and also take appropriate measures for continuation of the students studies.
Regarding Kovur, the State had taken a policy decision to allot plots to householders. Referring to the contention by some plot holders that their houses were not fully completed due to the notification, and their cases also deserved to be considered for allotment of alternative land, the Bench said they were free to make a representation. If such a representation was received, the State would take appropriate decision in accordance with law.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/28/stories/2008032859761100.htm
“Absolutely no merit in challenge raised against the acquisition”
State entitled to proceed with acquisition, hand over lands to airport: Bench
CHENNAI: The decks were cleared on Thursday for acquiring lands for Chennai airport expansion with the Madras High Court dismissing petitions challenging a government order directing the District Collector, Kancheepuram, to issue notice to land holders for acquisition purposes.
Dismissing a batch of writ petitions, the First Bench, comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice Prabha Sridevan, said it found absolutely no merit in the challenge raised against the acquisition proceedings by the State government under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act (TNALIPA) and the notices issued under the legislation.
The Bench heard arguments by Advocate-General, G. Masilamani, Assistant Solicitor-General of India P. Wilson and Airports Authority of India (AAI) counsel V.T. Gopalan, and K.M. Vijayan and N.R. Chandran for the petitioners. It held the State was entitled to proceed with the acquisition and hand over the lands to the airport authority.
The petitioners contended that the State government lacked competence to acquire the land for airport expansion as the field was occupied by Central legislation, namely the Airports Authority of India Act.
Even assuming that the acquisition could be made by the State, the same could not be done under the TNALIPA as the airport was neither an industrial area, industrial estate or an industry for the purpose of the Act for which acquisition could be made. Environmental clearance was a must for the proposed project and the same ought to have been obtained before the acquisition proceedings were initiated.
A petitioner contended that what was contemplated was only an extension of secondary runway crossing the Adyar river, which would require only 300 acres. Hence, 1,069.99 acres, spread over Manapakkam, Kolapakkam, Gerugambakkam and Tharapakkam villages, proposed for acquisition, were not required.
The Bench held that in the light of decided cases, it was clear that acquisition was an independent power. It said Mr. Gopalan and Mr. Wilson had given a categorical assurance that no construction activity would commence on the land before obtaining all environmental clearances. An application for necessary clearance had already been made.
The Advocate-General assured the court that if objections were filed on or before April 26, the District Collector would consider them on merit.
The Judges said a writ petition had been filed by the management of a residential school having more than 1,500 students. The Advocate-General assured the court that if the institution made a representation, the State would consider allotting alternative land for it in the nearby areas and also take appropriate measures for continuation of the students studies.
Regarding Kovur, the State had taken a policy decision to allot plots to householders. Referring to the contention by some plot holders that their houses were not fully completed due to the notification, and their cases also deserved to be considered for allotment of alternative land, the Bench said they were free to make a representation. If such a representation was received, the State would take appropriate decision in accordance with law.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/28/stories/2008032859761100.htm
HC allows TN govt. to acquire land for airport expansion
27-Mar-2008
Clearing the way for expansion of the Chennai Airport, the High Court here on Thursday dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the land acquisition for the project.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Prabha Sridevan, passed the order, thus enabling the Tamil Nadu government to go ahead with one of its ambitious projects.
The Bench had stayed all the proceedings relating to acquisition of land for the project, in December last year.
Earlier, a set of petitions challenged the acquisition of 1069.99 acres in Manapakkam, Tharapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kolapakkam and Kovur around the airport. The petitioners had contended that the State Government was acquiring the said land under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, though the land was not in an "industrial area" declared by the Government nor was it an "industrial estate."
They had also contended that the State Government was not competent to acquire land for the expansion, as the field was occupied by a Central organisation, Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The Bench, in its observation, said that "it is clear that the acquisition is an independent power emanating from the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution."
"In view of the foregoing discussions, we find absolutely no merit in the challenge raised to acquisition proceedings initiated by the State Government under the Act and we hold the State is entitled to proceed with the acquisition and acquire the land and hand over the same to the Airport Authority," the Bench said.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200803271968.htm
Clearing the way for expansion of the Chennai Airport, the High Court here on Thursday dismissed a batch of petitions challenging the land acquisition for the project.
A Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Prabha Sridevan, passed the order, thus enabling the Tamil Nadu government to go ahead with one of its ambitious projects.
The Bench had stayed all the proceedings relating to acquisition of land for the project, in December last year.
Earlier, a set of petitions challenged the acquisition of 1069.99 acres in Manapakkam, Tharapakkam, Gerugambakkam, Kolapakkam and Kovur around the airport. The petitioners had contended that the State Government was acquiring the said land under the Tamil Nadu Acquisition of Land for Industrial Purposes Act, though the land was not in an "industrial area" declared by the Government nor was it an "industrial estate."
They had also contended that the State Government was not competent to acquire land for the expansion, as the field was occupied by a Central organisation, Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The Bench, in its observation, said that "it is clear that the acquisition is an independent power emanating from the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution."
"In view of the foregoing discussions, we find absolutely no merit in the challenge raised to acquisition proceedings initiated by the State Government under the Act and we hold the State is entitled to proceed with the acquisition and acquire the land and hand over the same to the Airport Authority," the Bench said.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200803271968.htm
Airport expansion plan under scanner
27-Mar-2008
It will result in dislocation of 947 houses; High Court verdict on land acquisition soon
CHENNAI: A verdict is expected from the Madras High Court within a week on the Airport Authority of India’s land acquisition plans, but the debate on the merits of its airport expansion project rages on.
While the AAI maintains that the Rs.2,700-crore project, which will result in the dislocation of 947 houses, is crucial to Chennai’s future as a key aviation hub in India and South Asia, experts have raised questions about the necessity and merits of the plan in light of what they perceive to be inefficiencies in airspace use and the cost of displacement.
When the AAI first conceived the plan to expand the airport four years ago, it had forecast that Chennai would need to handle around 50 aircraft movements an hour by 2015. According to the AAI, the expansion plan will enable Chennai to handle traffic growth until 2016. The AAI expects the greenfield airport — Sriperumbudur is the likely location—to be ready by then.
Cross runway concerns
While the initial plan was to build a parallel runway, the AAI now also plans to extend the cross runway that has been in operation since December. The extension is the main cause for the dislocation of 947 homes — the land for the parallel runway plan is largely poromboke land, which the AAI has received clearance for acquiring (see graphic).
Airport sources say though the AAI is continuing its push for expansion, it is now reconsidering the parallel runway plan. There are, however, a number of logistic constraints in operating a cross runway. Air Traffic Controllers feel that it is not ideal for managing traffic; unlike in a parallel runway set-up, intersection of two runways imposes restrictions on speeding up aircraft movements.
The usage of the cross runway is also heavily reliant on wind patterns, and it cannot be used for three months every year. Strengthening of the clayey soil around the banks of the Adyar — the cross runway will be extended across the river — is also expected to cost a huge sum.
Airport officials also say airspace is currently not being used at full efficiency.
While there have been several proposals to construct rapid exit taxiways to minimise the lag between consecutive aircraft movements, the AAI has not yet started work on them. “The absence of rapid exit taxiways makes up 40 per cent of the problem,” says an airport officer. “Rapid exits would allow aircraft to be cleared in half the time.”
Rapid exit taxiways will allow aircraft to be cleared with a separation of four miles between them (ATCs currently follow an eight mile separation rule). Rapid exits will also allow aircraft to exit at a speed of 55 knots, but on the current exits, aircraft movement cannot exceed 30 knots.
“Given that Chennai currently handles 28 aircraft movements an hour, and rapid exits would, logically, allow them to double the aircraft movements to 56, what then is the need for expansion in the first place?,” asks former pilot Capt. A. Ranganathan.
Another hindrance to the construction of the rapid exits is the presence of the old air traffic control tower near the end of the cross runway. “Requests have been made to demolish the old building since 2004, but nothing has been done,” an airport source says.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/27/stories/2008032759311200.htm
Bird hits at Chennai airport raise safety concerns
6-Feb-2008
BIRD’S EYE VIEW: A photograph taken from the cockpit of an aircraft gives a glimpse of the avian menace in India’s airports. In this case, a stray bird drifts on to the runway of a national airport.
CHENNAI: All it takes is a little bird the size of a sparrow to bring down a 500-tonne aeroplane.
Minutes after an Indigo airlines flight bound for New Delhi took off from the Chennai airport Friday night, a stray bird lodged itself in one of the aircraft’s engines, prompting the pilot to immediately return to base for an emergency landing.
It was carrying 114 passengers.
Friday’s bird-hit has raised questions about how well airports and their vicinities are being maintained to keep stray birds away, and how qualified pilots are to handle the bird menace.
Increase in bird strikes
There has been an increasing number of bird strikes in airports in cities such as Ahmedabad, New Delhi and Mumbai, largely as a result of poor maintenance practices and irregular dumping of garbage.
Airport sources say the authorities have taken precautions to minimise the risk of bird-hits -- for instance, by clearing butcher shops and garbage dumps in the surrounding area. But, there is much more to the problem, says Chennai-based former pilot Capt. A. Ranganathan, who has worked on the Approach and Landing Accident Reduction (ALAR) project for the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.Proper maintenance
“Even if local authorities remove butcher shops, as per International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regulations, airports should ensure that the grass [near the runway] does not grow beyond four inches. This is not done in any of the airports, and that is bound to attract birds, especially after the rain,” Capt. Ranganathan says. Birds are attracted to reptiles in the grass. A bird-nest was found near the runway of a national airport.
ICAO also mandates that a 13-km radius around airports be maintained as a sterile area with no slaughterhouses or garbage dumping grounds. But, with a number of tea shops and construction work in the Chennai airport’s vicinity and a lack of regular inspection, irregular dumping is a safety hazard, Capt. Ranganathan adds.
Irregular practices
Abrupt aircraft movements and irregular landing and take-off practices by pilots also contribute to the problem. Air Traffic Controllers say it has become common for pilots to not follow specified landing practices as they try to save time under the constraints of increasingly intense schedules. While birds may judge flight patterns up to certain distances, abrupt movements pose serious problems.
http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/06/stories/2008020658600300.htm
Govt may restrict pvt developers from bidding for third airport
24-Mar-2008
The ministry plans to restrict cos from bidding for non-metro airports if they have already won contracts for two
Claiming it wants to avoid creating new monopolies in the booming airport construction and modernization business, the civil aviation ministry is planning to restrict private developers to a maximum of two non-metro airports.
Contracts for modernization of two dozen non-metro airports across India will be opened for bidders over the next two years. It is estimated that India needs some Rs1,600 crore private investment at 35 non-metro airports, many of which have seen traffic swelling over the past three years as more low-fare airlines and international carriers enter the market.
GVK Power and Infrastructure Ltd, Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group’s Reliance Energy Ltd, GMR Infrastructure Ltd, Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd, L&T Infrastructure Ltd, Unitech Ltd, Omaxe Ltd and Ansal Properties and Infrastructure Ltd are among those vying for business at the non-metro airports. Many of these, with little experience in airport-related development, have partnered with international airport operators such as Changi Airports International or Fraport AG to bid.
NON-METRO FOCUS
In the next three months, the selection process will require the ministry to shortlist five companies, which will then be asked to submit a financial bid before the final selection. However, since the selection criteria follows a set pattern and parameters, it is likely that the same developers, if they apply, will be shortlisted among the top five each time the government seeks a proposal for the remaining22 airports.
The ministry is planning to restrict operators from bidding for other airports if they have already won contracts for two airports, according to a senior government official familiar with the process who did not wish to be identified. A developer may be allowed to bid for more airports only after meeting project deadlines on the first two projects as stipulated by the government.
“What it basically means is that a few shall not get too much of work,” said the same official. “If someone has 10 airports to develop, work will suffer. It may also not be completed in a time-bound manner. And, we don’t want that.”
The official declined to elaborate while clarifying the new rules would not apply to metro airports, where business houses such as Bangalore-headquartered GMR Group, have already won contracts for New Delhi and Hyderabad.
Not everyone thinks it is a robust idea. “You can get out of the loop by forming a different company. Just two airports without reasoning seems hasty,” says Robey Lal, a private consultant, who was formerly a member of operations at the Airport Authority of India, or AAI.
The AAI, both a regulator for airports and an entity through which the government owns stakes in airfields in the country, is modernizing 35 non-metro airports spending more than Rs5,500 crore, but the ministry wants the development of terminals, cargo complexes, airport hotels, parking bays, and malls—collectively called city-side development—at 24 of these airports to be done with private players through what are dubbed as public-private partnership, or PPP, models.
Two city-side development contracts have already been put for up for bids at Udaipur’s Maharana Pratap Airport and Amritsar International Airport, which together have about 60 acres of land parcel to be developed.
Nearly two dozen infrastructure and construction companies are seeking to develop these two airports, compared with just five such bids thatwere received in 2005 for New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, which was won by GMR Infrastructure-led consortium.
Besides Amritsar, Udaipur, Tiruchirappalli and Visakhapatnam, the other airports that will be developed using the PPP model include Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Bhopal, Guwahati, Madurai Ranchi, Thiruvananthapuram, Mangalore, Aurangabad, Indore, Khajuraho, Dimapur, Bhubaneswar, Agartala, Varanasi, Dehradun, Raipur, Rajkot and Vadodara.
When asked how the ministry’s latest plan would impact plans, a senior Tata Realty and Infrastructure executive said his firm was “sort of losing (interest)” after waiting for four months for Amritsar and Udaipur airport contracts. “Last minute, they changed plans to privatize Kolkata and Chennai airports. I am not sure what the plan is. We need to see signs that they are serious,” said the same executive, requestinganonymity.
The ministry revisited its Udaipur privatization plan after it found that the airport had five times the land available for commercial development from what was initially estimated. The selection of financial consultants to evaluate the bids too is still being finalized.
At Kolkata and Chennai, the AAI decided to undertake expansion and modernization plans on its own.
http://www.livemint.com/2008/03/24001047/Govt-may-restrict-pvt-develope.html
Airports modernisation on time, says AAI chief
18-Mar-2008
Airports Authority of India (AAI) Chairman K Ramalingam today gave assurance that modernisation of airports, upgradation of air traffic services (ATS) and communications, and recruitment and training of air traffic controllers will be completed in time for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
"Rest assured. all work will be completed by 2010, and you will witness seachange in infrastructure, runways and terminals," Mr Ramalingam said at the three-day Airport and Airline 2008 Expo, inaugurated by Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel during the 2nd Civil Aviation Week.
The AAI chief said the third runway at the Delhi airport would be completed by Delhi International Airport (Private) Limited (DIAL) by June, and operationalised in August-September this year after making it CAT-III compliant.
"We are working closely with DIAL. They have to build the infrastructure and we have to put the procedure in place," he added.
For the Chennai airport, he said AAI had finalised plans for its modernisation, and the work would start within two months.
He said the upgradation of Kolkata airport and the development of 35 non-metro airports would be also be done by 2010.He said a roadmap for the modernisation of ATS and communication had also been prepared.Admitting shortage of air traffic controllers, he said more were being recruited and given training within the country and abroad.
http://www.indlawnews.com/Newsdisplay.aspx?41d57bda-60bc-446a-bd92-bab9040869f9
Airport expansion: CM hits out at rivals
18-Mar-06
In a sharp reaction to media reports, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on Tuesday castigated his political rivals for the delay in the Chennai Airport expansion plan and asserted that the scheme was not 'entangled' because of some private individuals. In a statement, referring to a report on airport expansion delay that appeared in a Tamil daily, Karunanidhi said there was not even an iota of truth in it.
The news item had alleged that the airport plan was being help up as the lands where the expansion has been proposed was owned by 'important' persons.The Chief Minister explained that some land owners go to court and easily get injunction.In such cases, it becomes an uphill task to go on appeal and get the final verdict.'This is the true reason for delay and the airport plan is not 'entangled' because of private individuals', the Chief Minister said.
Karunanidhi also regretted that whatever may be the new project, opposition and objection come in one way or the other.'My desire is that all such projects must be completed speedily without any delay,' he said.
Indirectly hitting out at his rivals, Karunanidhi quipped that if other States were able to complete such projects soon, it was because there were 'not many' who wanted to 'block' new plans.He also referred to the all-party meeting that was held on airport expansion.
http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=5952%20&%20section=7
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