Begumpet airport now has better chances of being reopened following the Karnataka High Court’s directive to the Centre to renegotiate with the Bangalore airport consortium its decision to close the existing airport in Bangalore in the wake of the construction of the new airport at Devanahalli. The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday asked Union civil aviation ministry to look into the demands of passengers.
The green field airport is expected to become operational from May 11. Civil society groups and staff of various airlines said they hoped that the ministry would respond with a new policy on civil aviation. They expect the government to also consider the recommendations of a Parliamentary committee, which had said two airports were necessary for metro cities since air traffic was increasing every year.
"There are more than two airports in several international cities. So, we should also have two airports to cater to the needs of passengers," said Mr C. Kulsum Reddy, joint secretary of Concerned Citizens, which is fighting for reopening of the Begumpet airport. "The Shamshabad airport will not be able to meet the growing demands in the future. So it is better to revive the Begumpet airport," he added.
"The government has not consulted passengers, civil society groups and NGOs before closing down operations at Begumpet. At least now it can conduct a public hearing and review its decision," said Mr C.V.L. Narasimha Rao, president of Raksha, a city based consumer organisation. The Andhra Pradesh High Court is reviewing many similar petitions.
Staff of Air Corporation Employees Union and Airport Authority of India is hoping for a favourable order from the AP High Court on the public interest petitions which were filed here.
"We hope that government will consider the proposal of two airports in metro cities in tune with the orders of Karnataka High Court," said the regional secretary of Air Corporation Employees Union, Mr S.P.D. Sudhakar. The state government is also lobbying for the revival of Begumpet airport.
The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, has requested the Central government to consider the reopening of Begumpet airport. "I have also urged the Chief Minister to pursue the matter because the closure of Begumpet airport will affect regional connectivity. It can be used to operate flights at least within Andhra Pradesh," said the minister for housing, Mr Botsa Satyanarayana.