Work on Surat airport yet to take wings; industry worried

Airports Authority & govt should act, just promises won't do, say local businessmen

The work on the Surat Airport is yet to pick up momentum, indicating that the city will have to wait for years for a full-fledged airport.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) had taken over the work on the airport from the state government last year, giving rise to hopes that Surat's dream would be finally fulfilled.

The local business community says they have raised the issue a number of times, but to no avail. The foundation stone for Surat Airport was laid by the then finance minister Jaswant Singh on September 30 last year in the presence of the then civil aviation minister Rajiv Pratap Rudy, former civil aviation minister Shahnawaz Hussain, the then rural development minister Kashiram Rana and Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi.

A leading businessman said, "These leaders had assured that work on the airport would start immediately and Surat would have an airport soon."

"It has been nine months now, but hardly any progress has been made. The condition at the Surat airport at present is similar to how it was nine months back," the businessman said.

Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ashok Shah said, "Lack of an airport is proving to be a major problem for the local industry. The pace at which the local industry is progressing will increase tremendously once the airport starts functioning. But unfortunately the authorities do not seem to be serious about it."

Shah said, "Surat contributes over Rs 4,500 crore annually to the government exchequer in the form of different taxes and duties. Total investment needed for the Surat Airport would not exceed Rs 40-50 crore. This investment will help the government get business and also help the local diamond and textile industries in a big manner. The government has nothing to lose and will only be benefited if Surat gets an airport."

Another leading businessman of Surat said, "The facilities at the airport are not enough. The length of the runway needs to be increased from the current 1,500 metres to 2,300 metres. It also needs to be strengthened. A new terminal building needs to be constructed and night landing facility is required."

"What we have come to know is that only runway-related work has been given to some party, the pace of which is very slow. The process for starting work on the terminal building and night landing facility is yet to be even initiated by the AAI. Instead of giving assurances, the government and AAI should come out with a clear plan," he said.

A team of AAI officials on Monday visited the airport. However, the officials refused to divulge any details on the purpose of the visit. R K Bankal, deputy general manager, AAI, Surat, said, "It was a routine visit. Many such teams come and go."

On the work on the airport, Bankal said, "Not much work has been done as yet."