Even as the duel over the modernisation of Delhi?s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport intensifies between the Planning Commission and civil aviation ministry, now the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has stepped into the fray.
According to sources, the PMO wants the committee on infrastructure to review the project to ascertain its progress and suggest remedies in case of any slip-ups. The modernisation of Delhi airport, spread over multiple phases and 20 years, is expected to cost Rs 30,000 crore.
“The government sees the modernisation and privatisation of the Delhi airport as one of its key projects. There may be different views from different departments over its implementation. The government will go ahead with the project and see how the issues can be resolved,” a government official said.
The modernisation of Delhi airport is currently way behind schedule. The official said that completion of the third runway, which was to be completed by June, would be delayed until August. Similarly, refurbishment of the international terminal and the makeshift domestic terminal, to be completed by June, will only be ready by July and November, respectively, the official revealed.
Meanwhile, GM Rao, chairman of GMR Group, which heads the consortium responsible for Delhi airport?s modernisation and expansion, called on Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Thursday.
While Rao termed the meeting ?just a courtesy call?, Ahluwalia is learnt to have insisted that GMR put in place a roadmap so that airport managers can deliver on their promises to ease congestion at the airport, a top official present at the hour-long, closed-door meeting told FE.
?We want GMR to do whatever is needed so that passengers no longer face chaos and long queues. The deputy chairman reiterated his demand that the mess at the airport come to an end. It is for GMR to decide how its plans to do it,? the official said. A visibly disturbed Rao declined to comment after the meeting.