HC raps govt

HC raps govt
The Karnataka High Court on Thursday reprimanded the State Government for its delay in providing connectivity to the new international airport in Devanahalli and has directed the Infrastructure Secretary to be present before the court on Friday with relevant details.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Ram Mohan Reddy and Justice Jawad Rahim heard for over five hours the interlocutory application filed by B Krishna Bhat and Bangalore City Connect Foundation, challenging the proposal to levy User development Charges by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) and closure of HAL airport, and questioned the State Government’s role in the project.

The Counsel for the State Government pointed out that the State was committed to provide an exclusive connectivity to the airport besides its share capital of Rs 310 crore. The dedicated road connectivity requires three years for completion, the Counsel added.

Dissatisfied with the Counsel’s reply the court observed, “If it takes three years, you have nothing to be called as a plan. The state has committed a blunder, let it bear the consequences,” observed the Court.

BIAL’s defence: Earlier Uday Holla, Former Advocate General representing BIAL, said that it is not possible to reconsider the closure of the HAL airport saying that the project catering to 12 million customers has an investment of Rs 4000 crore and the roads leading to the airport are almost ready and the bottle necks are being cleared. “

When the court suggested whether they can consider the 80 seater short haul flights, he said that it cannot happen as it will take more number of domestic consumers.

Aravind Kumar, Assistant Solicitor General, Government of India pleaded that there should not be an interim order and allow the BIAL to function. “ The HAL airport will be just closed for commercial operations. The air traffic control will be present here, if the need arises the Court can renew the functioning in a short notice,” he said.
Earlier giving the minutes of the two meetings held with BIAL, he said that government had tried to convince the BIAL regarding the User Development Fees, where the CEO, BIAL had stated that it is important for the financial management and will be collected from the departing international passengers, while the domestic consumers will be excluded from this.

As another addition to the cases against BIAL, IT buff, Vivek Kulkarni has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court,challenging the reluctance of Monopoly and Restricted Trade Practices and Competition Act. The former IT secretary who is now heading the Association of Outsourcing Professionals has challenged the concessional agreement dated July 5, 2004, saying that it violates the MRTP Act.