Airport upgrade: MPs call for urgent action

Parliamentarians call for immediate Mumbai, Delhi airport upgradation

BY A CORRESPONDENT
6th January 2006

Airports upgradation process should start off without any further delay, said MPs from the Parliament Consultative Committee on Civil Aviation. The opinions were voiced at a meeting of the consultative committee held in New Delhi today, which was chaired by Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel. The MPs felt that the matter should be given utmost priority.

The committee also announced the appointment of Task Force, lead arrangers and consultants for the development of 30 non-metro airports in the country. This entails an investment of Rs 5,500 crore. The task force report on this subject is expected late this month.

The Airports Authority of India made a presentation at the meeting.

M/S CRISIL, which had been appointed for establishing credit rating of AAI, had accorded 'AAA' rating with a stable outlook.

M/S A K Capital Services Limited was appointed as Financial Advisor-cum-Lead Arranger to advise AAI on possible debt funding options, timing on reaching the market and structure of the instruments among other issues.

The MPs also raised concerns about the safety in airports, and on flights, including the use of instrument landing system for navigation during foggy conditions.

It may be remembered that low visibility due to foggy weather had led to heavy disruption in air travel in Delhi and northern India late last year. Following this, the civil aviation ministry had asked private airlines to get their act together.