Ahmedabad airport gets a facelift

The Ahmedabad airport, which will serve as the entry point for hundreds of Indian and foreign tourists and delegates coming for the Vibrant Gujarat global investors' summit, is getting a facelift.

Following the visit of the Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Rajiv Pratap Rudy to the airport recently, a large-scale renovation and maintenance work has been undertaken.

Rudy, during his visit, had said this was one of the worst-maintained airports in the country.

The airport director had been transferred within hours of the visit. The minister has announced Rs 1.25 crore for upgradation of the airport.

The authorities, meanwhile, heaved a sigh of relief as the Airport Authority Employees' Union has called off its proposed strike on September 26.

H R Meena, secretary of the union at the Ahmedabad airport, said following an agreement between the minister and the union leaders, the strike has been called off.

Employees threatened strike against privatisation and pressing for their demands. The airport at Ahmedabad handles more than 20 domestic and international flights a day, said an airport official. Apollo Hospitals has set up a new counter to provide medical facilities.

The airport canteen, which was closed for the last six months following a controversy over its contract, has become operational.

Security in the airport has been stepped up in view of the investors' summit.

The chief commandant of the CISF said "our men are keeping a tab on all the activities in the vicinity."