Work for Kolkata airport completed

INDIA. Flaying the government for adopting privatization route for modernization of airports, the CPI(M) claimed preparatory work in Kolkata airport modernization has already been done by state-owned Airports Authority of India.

"AAI has done preparatory work for modernisation of Kolkata airport. Global tenders have been given out, for example for supply of aerobridges," CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat said. "In the aspect of building and modernisation of airports, AAI is fully competent. In fact, AAI will be doing it for Kolkata airport, that is our information," he said after the conclusion of the two-day Poliburo meeting.

Asked if AAI would be doing the job, Karat said it was for the government to announce. He said agencies like AAI, which was profit making should not be sidelined.

"The AAI is competent and has reserves to modernise Chennai, Kolkata and other airports,'' Karat said, adding it should be entrusted with the task of modernising existing airports under its jurisdiction. (PTI)