The finance minister in his budget speech made a mention of developing new airports in Tier 1 and 2 cities through the Airports Authority of India and the public private partnership (PPP) route.
While there is talk of building a regional aviation infrastructure in India, the ground work and policy support done for it remains poor and any chance of a change remains elusive.
In a recent seminar on the issue, the stakeholders consisting of airlines and airports came up with their problems. Regional development through aviation is still considered elitist and not a priority. Yet, the prime minister wants tourism, including remote area tourism, and inclusive growth of remote areas. If it is felt that our poor quality roads and railways will not improve overnight, a good aviation infrastructure is necessary.
India has now reached a level of development where regional aviation can play a major role in regional economic development. Connectivity to remote locations and their development also poses a challenge. India is lucky to have 447 airports on book, built largely during the Second World War and now lying mostly abandoned. However, the land in most cases is secure with AAI or state governments. Indian civil aviation sector has given huge volumes in growth revenues to Central and state governments, but there is a bigger prize waiting if right policies are followed.
18/08/14 Sanat Kaul/Deccan Herald
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While there is talk of building a regional aviation infrastructure in India, the ground work and policy support done for it remains poor and any chance of a change remains elusive.
In a recent seminar on the issue, the stakeholders consisting of airlines and airports came up with their problems. Regional development through aviation is still considered elitist and not a priority. Yet, the prime minister wants tourism, including remote area tourism, and inclusive growth of remote areas. If it is felt that our poor quality roads and railways will not improve overnight, a good aviation infrastructure is necessary.
India has now reached a level of development where regional aviation can play a major role in regional economic development. Connectivity to remote locations and their development also poses a challenge. India is lucky to have 447 airports on book, built largely during the Second World War and now lying mostly abandoned. However, the land in most cases is secure with AAI or state governments. Indian civil aviation sector has given huge volumes in growth revenues to Central and state governments, but there is a bigger prize waiting if right policies are followed.
18/08/14 Sanat Kaul/Deccan Herald
