New Delhi: Why is the government pressing ahead with modernising the airports in the face of a stiff opposition from the Left as well as the Airports Authority Employees?
The answer has to do with growth projections.
Consider this. The Indian government has been spending crores of rupees marketing India as a tourist destination. But the credibility of the Incredible India campaign is lost the moment a tourist lands at the Delhi or Mumbai airport.
The Airport Authority of India currently manages the two airports. They account for nearly 50 per cent of the total passenger traffic and 60 per cent of the cargo traffic handled by airports in India.
The limited number of passenger terminals and immigration counters almost regularly lead to congestion and flight delays.
India has over 400 airports, of which the Airports Authority of India manages only 94. But what's more shocking is that only 62 are in use, while the rest are inactive.
In such a scenario, it would be a bit far-fetched to expect Indian airports to have facilities at par with most world-class international airports, such as luxurious duty-free shopping areas and passenger lounges.
Forecasts say Delhi and Mumbai airports will handle combined passenger traffic of 187 million passengers in 2040.
That's more than a five-fold increase from today. But that's the kind of traffic Atlanta or Chicago airports handle at present.
With more budget airlines taking to the skies, air travel is becoming a lot more affordable for Indians. Sadly, the airports are just not ready for the crowds.
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