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BIA launch delayed yet again - May 29 ?

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Written By Devesh - 29 April, 2008

BIAL Bangalore India BIAL Aviation travel

The Aviation Ministry has "requested" that the launch of BIA be delayed, most likely to May 29th.

See: PTI, IBN Live

This meeting highlights the triumph of politics over the need of the people. The new airport is a much required piece of infrastructure. The delay is being done for one reason alone. The connectivity to the new airport, a government responsibility, is not fully complete. The current elections cannot put us Bangaloreans to inconvenience, and highlight the failures of connectivity.

Immediately after the state elections, the ruling coalition is planning for new elections next year, and they would like maximum publicity and hoopla to highlight their "achievement".

On the positive side.....quoting the PTI news report, "We have given them (BIAL) various options including allowing aircraft less than 80-seaters to operate out of the existing airport," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters here.

I sincerely hope that BIAL looks at the offer positively.
--------------------------

Devesh Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

 

COMMENTS

not again!

tsubba - 29 April, 2008 - 14:41

that is not an option at all. the problem also is blr has to deal with the fall out of yet another delay. when will bellary road get up going? i hope they dont keep working on it till 12:00 may 28.

Is BIAL alone responsible for this?

kbsyed61 - 29 April, 2008 - 14:56

Mr. Devesh,

It seems we are being railroad into believing that BIAL is the culprit here.

1. AAI (13 % share holders and ATC operators) starts taking charge only in March. That's not their fault?

2. Roads to airport are not ready. 3 years of time is too short for a distance of 40 Kms? Government is not at fault?

3. PIL gets filed and it takes it own time and course. Fault BIAL?

4. Last but not the least, Civil Aviation Minsitry can not be faulted?

People of Bangalore are looking for one answer. Is BIAL ready for operations OR not? if not then what is that needs to be completed and who is responsible for this?

Shouldn't this be the real case for a "Public Interest Litigation" application? I am sure the outcome of such PILs would not fill the coffers of those who takes decisions and businesses. Because ordinary citizens would benefit from secondary benefits of road improvements. They would have the chance to improve economically which would cut into the bottom lines of powerfuls. Isn't it?

Regards,

Syed

 

 

cant be connectivity

narayan82 - 29 April, 2008 - 15:10

Connectivity cannot be a reason for the delay. Even if they do push it till the end of weekend, not even 50% of the work on bellary road will be completed. I have watched the pace for work, and trust me its like snails working at a snail's pace! I am really looking forward to a response from AAI under the RTI act (with the letter posted on Praja that a memeber filed), and I belive that this will answer a lot of questions. It is a shame to see such projects bearing the brunt of shabby goverment politics. Opening the airport on May 11th would have really enhanced our stand against politics, but we have fallen for it again. I hope the government i sgiven a rap on its knuckles for its laziness, apathy and lethargic approach to connectivity. A few PILs against them might encourage them to get moving...

connectivity

tsubba - 29 April, 2008 - 15:20

folks regarding connectivity, right now they have diverted a whole lot of vehicles including buses from bellary road. how are these diversions working? can they make some of these permanent? the way i see it, bellary road will need all the help it can get. i hope they are using this down time to sort out the left lane, right , median lane issue of between metro, barl and nhai.

BIAL start date hijacked

kbsyed61 - 29 April, 2008 - 13:55

The start date for BIAL has once again been postponed. This time no definite date has been anounced.

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Apr292008/national2008042965338.asp?section=updatenews

It has been my position that all this drama of UDF, HAL airport shouldn't be closed, airport capacity etc. are all smoke screens. The real motive is different. Otherwise, how could they allow Begumpet airport to be shutdown, while the HAl airport becomes bone of contention?

First it was the drama of unpreparedness from AAI, now the High Court Ruling becomes the political tool for settling scores. Remember irrespective of who wins whether it is PIL petitioners like "City Connect" or BIAL, loss would be Bangalore's.

Just wait for the details under RTI Act about AAI's role in BIAL and RGIA airports.

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