Minister hits back, blames Delhi airport delay on Plan Panel

The Commission had come down heavily on the GMR-run DIAL at a review meeting on Monday for its slow progress, terming it a complete failure. The Commission had said the situation at the airport was miserable, as instead of decreasing congestion, DIAL had only increased congestion. DIAL was further told that this was leading to a perception that bringing in a private partner for the upgradation was no help at all and this was hitting the country8217;s global image.

Patel has reacted rather quickly to the Planning Commission8217;s sudden interest in DIAL. Pointing out how he has learnt through newspaper reports about Ahluwalia8217;s 8220;anguish over the slow pace of progress in the modernisation and development work8221; at the Delhi airport, the minister said he hoped it would bring about 8220;necessary changes and improvement in a time-bound manner8221;.

The minister, however, has not minced words in pointing out how it is the Planning Commission officials who have been delaying various projects. Sources in the Planning Commission say the letter refers to how the commission8217;s officials had almost 8220;completely derailed8221; the process of awarding joint ventures for Mumbai and Delhi airports and only the Deputy Commissioner8217;s intervention had helped save the deal. The minister, it is learnt, has also noted that projects should be decided keeping in mind the needs for the next 10-20 years and 8220;not to repeat the past mistakes8221; like those made in construction of the current IGI airport international terminal 8212; 8220;a plan then approved by the Planning Commission and the Ministry8221;.

Patel has written that he takes 8220;this opportunity8221; to bring to Ahluwalia8217;s notice how the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports is also being delayed due to 8220;constant objections being raised by the Planning Commission about the scale and size of these airports8221;. These endless objections are holding up the project despite the fact that the Committee on Infrastructure headed by the Prime Minister has 8220;categorically approved the projects8221;.

The minister winds off his letter rather sarcastically, saying he hoped the Deputy Chairman8217;s visits across Delhi and the country would draw his attention to 8220;various problems of roads, electricity, water, sewerage system, public transport8221; and that he would address these problems in a 8220;time-bound manner8221;.

Patel8217;s letter comes soon after Left leader Sitaram Yechury wrote to the PM on the issue of delay in the modernisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports and complained that 8220;backdoor privatisation8221; of the 35 non-metro airports was being planned.