New Delhi: A foreign entity may fly in to pep up Calcutta’s new airport terminal, which is facing passenger ire for its inadequate facilities within days of its opening.
Civil aviation minister Ajit Singh today said that the government might cede management control to the city side of the newly built terminals in Calcutta and Chennai to global operators through competitive bidding.
“The Airports Authority of India (AAI) could give management control of these airports (Calcutta and Chennai) through a competitive bidding process,” Singh said today at a CII event.
The AAI had suggested to a Planning Commission task force that the management and operation of these airports be undertaken through public-private partnership (PPP) by setting up joint ventures with foreign operators.
Fliers in Calcutta are critical about the facilities at the new terminal — from the unfriendly flight status boards and limited food counters to the poor state of bathrooms. Criticisms are being heaped on the AAI for showing undue haste in opening the terminal.
27/06/13 Telegraph
