Former Union minister Vilas Muttemwar has appealed to the Maharashtra Chief Minister that the vice-chairman of the Multi-Modal International Passenger and Cargo Hub (MIHAN) project here be replaced with an expert from the aviation sector. "Currently, MIHAN is headed by UPS Madan as joint MD and vice-chairman.
"But that is his additional charge as he has to devote more time to MMRDA in Mumbai. Therefore, he should be replaced immediately with an expert from the aviation sector," the Nagpur MP said.
Muttemwar recently met Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in Mumbai on the sidelines of the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature.
Muttemwar said the ambitious project was getting delayed due to many "constraints".
Ruing how many "retired" persons were holding posts in MIHAN, Muttemwar demanded that a younger and dedicated team of experts be drawn from the aviation sector to expedite the project.
"Even at this stage, MIHAN can be salvaged by at least activating the passenger transit hub aspect by improving Nagpur's air connectivity to at least all state capitals," Muttemwar said today.
He appealed to Chavan to dispel the perception that the state government was not serious about taking up projects in the city which was the "second capital" of the state.
"If the CM takes it up with all private airlines, it would not be difficult to persuade the Tatas, who are starting a new service in a tie-up with Air Asia, to use Nagpur airport for night parking of aeroplanes.
"Once that is done, it would automatically improve connectivity as the parked planes would be started on new routes," said the former minister of state for New and Renewable Energy.
