Airport modernisation to begin next month

New Delhi: The proposed modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports will mostly begin next month, with the detailed project report for both having been submitted to the Government for its approval, the Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr Praful Patel, said.

Addressing the Consultative Committee of the Members of Parliament attached to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, he added that the trial run of the third and new runway at the Delhi airport will start by August 21 this year and that this is likely to lead to a substantial reduction in congestion.

While the modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports is being done by two private sector-led consortiums, the Airports Authority of India has been mandated to upgrade the airports in Chennai and Kolkata.

The Minister also raised concerns about the rising cost of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), which was adversely affecting the health of the industry.

Mr Patel pointed out that domestic base prices of ATF were high primarily to subsidise other petroleum products.

The high taxes levied by the State Governments on aviation fuel compounded the issue resulting in high levels of ATF prices across the country, Mr Patel said.

Meanwhile, the first meeting of the high powered committee set up by the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to examine and assess the financial difficulties being faced by the airlines is to hold its first meeting here later this week, Mr Patel said.

Other issues raised related to facilities provided to passengers by low-cost carriers, appointment of an ombudsman to address the problems of passengers, development of airport infrastructure, functioning of the regulatory authorities under the Ministry and air connectivity to different places across the country specially to the North-East.