After five and a half months of the new government coming to power, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced a draft aviation policy. Besides the Airport Infrastructure Policy of 1997, India is yet to produce a cabinet approved Civil Aviation Policy though draft policies have existed for over last 25 years. Now, we have yet another half baked four page draft document.
After enunciation of the economic importance of civil aviation, the ministry has made certain announcements. The proposed corporatisation of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited is a good sign as it will bring in greater efficiency and transparency.
However, there is no mention of hiving off and corporatising air traffic management, which has been on the anvil for some time and has been recommended by the Naresh Chandra Committee on the ‘Road Ahead’ as far back as 2002. Further, there is no mention of converting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) office into a Civil Aviation Authority – a much needed catalyst for an efficient DGCA – that was approved by the last government. This is a step backwards.
25/11/14 Sanat Kaul/Deccan Herald
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After enunciation of the economic importance of civil aviation, the ministry has made certain announcements. The proposed corporatisation of Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Pawan Hans Helicopters Limited is a good sign as it will bring in greater efficiency and transparency.
However, there is no mention of hiving off and corporatising air traffic management, which has been on the anvil for some time and has been recommended by the Naresh Chandra Committee on the ‘Road Ahead’ as far back as 2002. Further, there is no mention of converting the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) office into a Civil Aviation Authority – a much needed catalyst for an efficient DGCA – that was approved by the last government. This is a step backwards.
25/11/14 Sanat Kaul/Deccan Herald
