People's Democracy

Deliberate Delay In Modernisation Of Kolkata Airport

CPI(M) MP Seeks PM Intervention

Tapan Sen, CPI(M) MP abd CITU secretary sent the following letter to Dr Manmohan Singh, prime minister regarding the modernisation of Kolkata airport on May 15, 2008.

Dear Dr Manmohan Singhji,

I invite your immediate attention to the disquieting reports in the media quoting minister of civil aviation that the modernisation of Kolkata airport is being delayed due to consistent objection being raised by the Planning Commission about the scale and size of the airport. As you are kindly aware that Kolkata and Chennai airports are being modernised and upgraded by Airports Authority of India (AAI) and as per the ministry, the work at Kolkata is already delayed for six months, because of non-approval of the upgradation scheme by Planning Commission.

In the light of the fact that such deliberate delay in modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports was used as a ploy to privatise these airports, there is a strong apprehension that similar efforts are afoot to derail the Kolkata and Chennai airport modernisation project by AAI to facilitate entry of private player in these airports in line with Mumbai and Delhi.

I, therefore, strongly urge upon you to intervene immediately to ensure timely completion of modernisation of these airports through AAI without any further delay and to suitably advise Planning Commission on the issue.