BIAL bouquets for Murthy

BIAL bouquets for Murthy
The Times of India


JD(S) national president H D Deve Gowda might have doubts about Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) chairman N R Narayana Murthy’s commitment to the project: But the BIAL only sings his praises.

BIAL CEO Albert Brunner has gone on record on several occasions that it was Murthy’s efforts that opened several doors at both the Centre and state. “As BIAL chairman, he has been very pro-active. Any query I have had, he responds to it within 24 hours. And which ever part of the world he is in, he has flown in on priority for the airport,’’ he told The Times of India.

Everyone connected with the airport project, be it in government or outside, admits it has been drastically delayed. “Reasons for delay have been several. But Murthy has done his role as chairman of the airport company and he has done it very well,’’ officials said.

The delay can be attributed to various government agencies. This, despite the fact that the previous Krishna government took it up as a flagship project. At that point, when Murthy was appointed chairman, Krishna had gone on record to say: “He is a go-getter, he will get the airport moving more quickly than any of us.’’

Delay set in because the Airports Authority of India Act had to be amended and passed by Parliament, as the Bangalore airport will be the first one to be privately built and operated in the country.

“Murthy has attended almost all board meetings, worked behind the scenes to get the project moving. Just because he chooses not to be visible does not mean he has not done anything. The fact that the airport has taken off (construction work started on July 2, 2005) is a credit to him also,’’ sources said.