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Members of Parliament cutting across party lines today expressed their appreciation of the performance of the Civil Aviation Sector in the past months. The working of all the PSUs under the Ministry of Civil Aviation was also commended.
Various issues were taken up in today’s meeting. The MPs were critical of the controversy created out of the Air India Board’s decision relating aircraft purchase. They felt that the attitude of the foreign private companies selling aircraft was deplorable and making political issue out of a purchase was not correct. The members were, however, appreciative about the decision to acquire more aircrafts to strengthen the public carriers.
Members expressed concern over the problems arising out of shortage of pilots and have suggested that urgent steps be taken to remove this shortage. They also expressed concern over the rising prices of ATF, which was eating into the profitability of the airlines specially the national carriers. The congestion of the airports specially Delhi-Mumbai Airport which increased the landing time for aircrafts and led to burn up precious fuel, was discussed.
The members were informed that the Kolkata International Airport was being upgraded on a priority basis. International consultants had been appointed and the design for the new airport freezed. The tendering and other process would require two to three months after which the construction work would begin.
Other issues that were discussed were review of security at airports, comprehensive infrastructure for ground handling for the next ten years, steps to prevent helicopter crashes, reduction of expenses of domestic air travels to give boost to domestic tourism, modernization of airports etc.
The meeting was chaired by Shri Praful Patel, Minister of Civil Aviation. The Members who attended the meeting were S/Shri Tusharbhai A. Choudhay, Madhu Goud Yashki, Sachin Pilot, Tarit Baran Topdar, Santosh Bagrodia, Vayalar Ravi, K.B.Krishna Murthy, Dr. M.S.Gill, Janardan Dwivedi, Tariochan Singh, N.K.Premachandran, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Rajeev Shukla and Smt. Sarla Maheshwari.
MC:kd
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