Montek hits back at Patel on airport review
Wednesday, 14 May 2008, 19:30 IST
Printer Print Email Email
New Delhi: Hitting back at Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia Wednesday defended his review of facilities at the Delhi airport and said reviewing any project was well within the jurisdiction of the plan panel. Ahluwalia Monday reviewed the progress of the expansion and modernisation of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport here with its developer, GMR-led Delhi International Airport Limited, DIAL. However, Patel had objected to the exercise. "The review was routine. It is important for the Planning Commission to know the progress of the project," Ahluwalia said. Reacting to Patel's charge that it was the plan panel that was delaying modernisation of various airports, he said: "It is a wrong notion that the Planning Commission is holding back the airport projects. Any project goes through a set of procedures and then is sent for the approval of the cabinet." Regarding his meeting with DIAL officials, he said: “We found deficiency in services at the IGI airport here.” He added that there were always different points of view of the different ministries on how a public sector project is carried on. He said problems at the Delhi airport, especially concerning security clearances, were not in the jurisdiction of airport management and that the commission would take up the issue with the department concerned.
Source: IANS
siliconindia