The CPI(M) on Wednesday opposed Centre’s move to hand over Kolkata and Chennai airports to private operators through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
In a letter to Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, CPI(M) leader Tapan Sen said that this move was totally objectionable, after spending huge money of more than Rs 3,700 crore for the modernisation of these two airports.
Pointing out the Government’s decisions and assurances to employees’ unions to maintain these airports along with other 60 airports with the Airports Authority of India, Sen said this move was nothing but to provide undue profit to the private players.
“At this juncture, inducting a private player in both Kolkata and Chennai Airports in the name of PP obviously means allowing private players to make undue profit out of the already renovated/modernised infrastructure with PSU’s resources.
“Moreover, given the track record of private operators in two major airports of the country at Delhi and Mumbai, their bungling in levying much higher user development charges….and finally CAG’s adverse comments in respect of Delhi and Mumbai Airports between the Civil Aviation Ministry and GMR/GVK, gross limitation of the very idea of so called partnership with private players in such crucial infrastructure project involving public interest stands thoroughly exposed,” said the CPI(M) politburo member.