BIAL give its take on alleged violations

BIAL give its take on alleged violations
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: The 21-member joint House committee headed by BJP MLA Hemachandra Sagar inspected facilities of the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) on Friday. The committee was formed to probe alleged violation of terms and conditions during BIA’s construction.
Being the first visit, the committee members inspected the terminal building, apron, runway area and air traffic control facilities.
A committee member told TOI that a few questions were asked to officials of BIAL — the company that built the airport. The questions include aspects of the masterplan, allocation of land and reasons for cost escalation from Rs 1,350 crore to Rs 2,700 crore.
Alleged substandard facilities at the airport, which have been under the government’s scanner, were brought up during questioning. Also, connectivity to the airport, passenger capacity constraints and scope of expansion plans were also discussed with BIAL officials.
The committee ran a fine comb on various agreements, including the controversial concessional agreement that does not permit another airport to operate within 150 km from the airport. “We made some suggestions on how to give a facelift to the airport in line with other international airports,’’ a member said.
BIAL CEO Albert Brunner is said to have made a presentation on BIA’s facilities to the visiting legislators.