Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Mangalore, Dec 5: It has been a month since J T Radhakrishna
has taken over as the Director of Mangalore International Airport following the
retirement of M R Vasudeva in October this year. Vasudeva, who was the Airport
Director of the Mangalore Airport for nearly 10 years, was the face of the
Mangalore Airport and whoever steps into his shoes will be naturally compared to
him. Comparisons are no doubt odious but Radhakrishna seem to have no problem
with the high expectations people have because he does not consider it as a
burden.
A man of few words, Radhakrishna prefers his work to speak for himself and
has already chalked out a clear plan keeping in mind the all-round progress of
the airport and the safety of the passengers.
In an
exclusive interview with daijiworld.com he delineates the
various developmental plans under progress at Mangalore International Airport.
Q. Is it difficult to get into the seat adorned by M R
Vasudeva?
A. Vasudeva was the Airport Director of Mangalore International Airport for
almost ten years and knew the ins and outs of the airport. It was during his
tenure the second runway and the new terminal was built and became operational.
It is just month since I have taken over as the Director and I know this place
having supervised the construction of the new runway and also the construction
of the new terminal building. I know the expectations are high and I will do my
best for the overall improvement of the airport.
Q. What is going to be your priority in your capacity as the
Airport Director?
A. Development of the airport and safety and comforts of the passengers is
always the priority while undertaking any developmental work.
Q. With Jet Airways getting government approval recently to fly
international from Mangalore to Dubai will there be more private airlines flying
from Mangalore soon?
A. The government has just approved the proposal of Jet Airways to fly
Mangalore-Dubai to start with.
It is not confirmed but Jet has planned
the schedule and the launching is scheduled for December 20, 2012.
There has been lot of inquiries from private airlines both private and foreign
and all the formalities will have to be completed at our head office. But all
these airlines will conduct their own surveys before venturing into this and it
will take its own time for to actually begin their service.
Q. Does Mangalore airport have necessary infrastructure to
handle private and foreign international airlines?
A. Extension of the runway to 1100 meters is the need of the hour so that
the airport can handle wide bodied aircrafts. At present Mangalore airport can
handle smaller aircrafts such as Airbus A320. If the runway is extended the
airport is capable of accepting larger aircrafts such as Airbus A-330 and Boeing
777. Larger aircrafts means passengers will be able to carry more luggages,
more cargo, more goods capacity etc. It is a big project and we require at
least 280 acres of land for completing this. We have requested the state
government to provide the land for us and we are hopeful we will be able to get
the required land.
Q. What are the safety aspects undertaken at the Mangalore
International Airport?
A. With a view to enhance the safety and security of Mangalore airport and
also to bring different air control units under one roof we are constructing a
new Control Tower building which is now under construction. At present we don’t
have full-pledged view of the area around the airport. Mangalore being the area
control centre has lot of equipments with a radar capacity for tracing aircrafts
up to 250 nautical miles. We will accommodate all these equipments in the new
control tower. This project is expected to be completed by December 2013.
Q. Is there any area of concern that calls for immediate
attention at the airport?
A. There is no cause for concern on any aspect as of now. All the
stakeholders must co-operate with us to realize our goals of providing top
priority for safety and security aspects. Considering that there will have
more flights in the near future with private airlines gearing up for
international flights there is a need to enhance security at the airport.
Earlier the airport used to be closed during nights but now that more flights
will be coming during night time we will have a 24X7 security system at the
airport.
Q. What about the exit road which is in a deplorable condition?
A. The work on the exit road has been undertaken by Karnataka State Road
Development Corporation recently and work will begin here in a month’s time. We
are also acquiring the Deccan Park area and the building will be demolished
subsequently so that there are no operational or technical hitches concerning
the safety aspects. This exit road will be much better than the approach road
with lesser curves and will be much smoother.
Q. What confidence building measures have been undertaken to
reduce skirmishes among customs officials and passengers at the airport?
A. It is our intention to avoid any instances that might bring a bad repute
to the airport. Every month we sit with top customs officials and work out. If
any issues come up during such meetings we take them up and bring it to the
notice of the Commissioner of Customs. But we cannot comment on their work
because it does not come under us. At the same time I feel that passengers also
should be aware of certain rules and regulations and avoid committing violations
with regard to carrying valuables.
Q. These violations happen because the limit is only Rs.
25,000/-, which is in vogue for the last 10 years…
A. The Customs officials have taken the matter to the officials concerned at
the Finance Ministry. Other organizations should also approach the concerned
departments so that this limit is enhanced.
Q. What is the headway made with regard to the International
Cargo Complex to come up at the old terminal building?
A. We have made the entire infrastructure required for a cargo complex and
proposals have gone to the Central Government Board of Excise and Customs
(CBEC). We are now waiting for the clearance call and based on that clearance,
custodianship will be given to Airport Authority of India Ltd for the Cargo
Complex.
Q. In what way Cargo Complex will be
beneficial?
A. Having an international Cargo complex will give fillip to import and
export from South Kanara. This will be a great opportunity for the businessmen
and manufacturers to import or export their products. We are expecting to get
the clearance within a month or two from CBEC. Once the clearance is obtained
it will take only a month for the cargo complex to become operational.
