The Hindu Business Line : AAI panel to examine alternative airport modernisation plan

THE Government has set up a high-powered committee headed by member (Finance), Airports Authority of India (AAI), to examine the alternative plan submitted by the AAI Employees Joint Forum for the modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports.

The committee will have representation from the engineering and architectural wing of AAI.

The AAI Employees Joint Forum has given a call for a one-day mass casual leave by its members across the country on September 27 to protest against the proposed modernisation and restructuring of the two metro airports.

The Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, is scheduled to meet the forum members in Mumbai on September 25 to nip their threat of going on mass casual leave.

Meanwhile, in a statement, AAI said the Delhi High Court has passed an injunction order against the forum's call.

AAI has directed all airports to make stand-by arrangements for essential services such as fire, security, medical on September 27. It has decided to set up control rooms at various airports to meet any emergency.

Earlier, the forum convenor, Mr M.K. Ghoshal, said it was incorrect to say that the forum was against the proposed modernisation of the two metro airports.

e want the Government to entrust the proposed modernisation of the airports to us and also consider the alternative plan, which has already been given to them," Mr Ghoshal said.The Government has received an expression of interest from 10 parties including Reliance, Videocon, DLF and L&T for the restructuring of the airports.