HC sets refund rider to BIAL collection of UDF

Bangalore: The high court on Friday permitted BIAL to collect Rs 260 as user development fee (UDF) from each domestic passenger on condition that it will refund the amount to the passengers concerned if the court holds against the proposal in the end.
A division Bench headed by Justice Deepak Verma recorded the submission of Udaya Holla, senior counsel representing the BIAL, to this effect.
In its statement of objections, the BIAL defended the levy of Rs 260 as UDF saying it is just Rs 35 more than what was charged at the old HAL airport, and it would eventually be including the fee in the air ticket.
“UDF is one of the modes of funding construction of the airport. It is levied at the new greenfield airports across the country and the same has been levied in the new Hyderabad International Airport where international passengers are paying Rs 1,000 per head, while domestic ones are being levied Rs 375 since August last year,” BIAL said.
The statement also rebuts the AAI report on BIA's capacity and the parliamentary committee report claiming it as lopsided.
BIAL stressed that connectivity to the airport has increased tremendously; accidents and deaths are happening only because people are travelling at enormous speed. Even during peak hour, it takes 45 minutes to reach the airport from Vidhana Soudha, BIAL said. As far as reduction in passenger traffic is concerned, the statement blames it on global phenomenon.
28/02/09 Times of India

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Categories: Airports Feb 2009