Rs3.9 crore spent to give Ahmedabad airport a green makeover

Ahmedabad: The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in the city has gulped down nearly Rs3.88 crore over the last 12 years, on work related to its beautification and maintenance.
According to data available with DNA, maintenance work at the airport in this period of time has cost around Rs1.61 crore, while around Rs2.3 crore has been spent of beautifying the airport premises since 1997.
The aforementioned works are the responsibility of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), resulting in the Airport Authorities of India not having to spend on these works. RIL has been given a contract for the maintenance and beautification of the airport, in lieu of which it has erected its advertisements in the vicinity.
A source said that RC Chitkara, regional director (west zone), AAI, and RIL official Pinakin Dixit met around a couple of months ago, most probably in connection with the renewal of the contract for the maintenance and beautification of the airport. The contract, which RIL signed in 1995-96, will come to an end soon.
According to the data with DNA, the contract covers the beautification of a three-km area of the city and airport. Till date, RIL has planted more than 62,000 shrubs, 950 trees, 1,430 bamboo trees, and 350 indoor and outdoor plants, among others.
22/09/09 Satish Jha/Daily News & Analysis

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Sep 2009