The Hindu Business Line : Airport closure

The Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel, has stated that the government would re-examine the concession agreement signed for opening new airports and employees of the Airports Authority of India have called off their strike on the assurance of the government that the old airports will not be closed.

It seems that the decision not to close the old airports has been taken much against the interests of the international air passengers. Such passengers, on arrival from abroad, have to undergo unnecessary ordeal in making trips to the old airports to board the domestic airlines, wasting time and money.

The new airports have been set up at huge cost with a view to ease the congestion in the old airports, which also lack in modern facilities and also in many other advanced technical aspects on air traffic and control. Therefore, if the old airports are continued to be maintained it will be a colossal waste of resources.

Hence, the employees found redundant in the old airports may be absorbed in the new airports or the option may be given to them for voluntary retirement. Further, the move to go back on the agreement will send wrong signals to corporate houses, that may have second thoughts about undertaking such mega joint ventures with the government, which will greatly affect the infrastructure building.

S. Nallasivan Tirunelveli

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