DC | N. Vamsi Srinivas | 3 hours 31 min ago
For representation only.
Hyderabad: The expansion of Vijayawada airport has fallen victim to red tapism at the highest levels of state bureaucracy. Even six years after entering into MoU with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for runway expansion up to 10,500 ft and modernisation of terminal building, the state government failed to issue draft notification, leave alone acquiring land.
It was decided that AAI is given about 500 acres for upgrading the airport with the above facilities. Official sources told this newspaper that the file relating to acquisition has been doing rounds in Secretariat for more than a year and chances of a go ahead for issue of notification appear bleak now also.
“The cabinet has to approve the notification and there is uncertainty over the meeting with more than half of the ministers submitting their resignations,” a senior infrastructure official said. The civil aviation ministry allotted Rs 340 crore for new terminal building in 2012-2013 Budget and proposed that the state government acquire part of land on priority basis so that the terminal building could be taken up.
The funds got lapsed as there is no response from the state. Sources said then chief secretary Minnie Mathew initially raised objections over the rehabilitation package though it is not mandatory for the airport project. The infrastructure and investment department after consulting the R&R commissioner told the chief secretary of the latter’s recommendation.
The file was again circulated for clearance from the finance department and it took more than three months to get nod from the departments concerned. “Expansion of the airport is more important in the event of division as there will be increased traffic,” sources said.
The I&I shall obtain permission from the cabinet in circulation or proceed with draft notification and put the proposal for ratification of the cabinet whenever it meets,” sources pointed out.
States: Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad: The expansion of Vijayawada airport has fallen victim to red tapism at the highest levels of state bureaucracy. Even six years after entering into MoU with the Airport Authority of India (AAI) for runway expansion up to 10,500 ft and modernisation of terminal building, the state government failed to issue draft notification, leave alone acquiring land.
It was decided that AAI is given about 500 acres for upgrading the airport with the above facilities. Official sources told this newspaper that the file relating to acquisition has been doing rounds in Secretariat for more than a year and chances of a go ahead for issue of notification appear bleak now also.
“The cabinet has to approve the notification and there is uncertainty over the meeting with more than half of the ministers submitting their resignations,” a senior infrastructure official said. The civil aviation ministry allotted Rs 340 crore for new terminal building in 2012-2013 Budget and proposed that the state government acquire part of land on priority basis so that the terminal building could be taken up.
The funds got lapsed as there is no response from the state. Sources said then chief secretary Minnie Mathew initially raised objections over the rehabilitation package though it is not mandatory for the airport project. The infrastructure and investment department after consulting the R&R commissioner told the chief secretary of the latter’s recommendation.
The file was again circulated for clearance from the finance department and it took more than three months to get nod from the departments concerned. “Expansion of the airport is more important in the event of division as there will be increased traffic,” sources said.
The I&I shall obtain permission from the cabinet in circulation or proceed with draft notification and put the proposal for ratification of the cabinet whenever it meets,” sources pointed out.
States: Andhra Pradesh
No comments:
Post a Comment