Retain old airport, renegotiate deal: K'taka HC

The Bangalore airport is in the news again. The Karnataka High Court directed today that all parties involved should renegotiate the terms of the new airport contract.

Will Bangalore have two airports? That’s the question a new Karnataka high court directive has revived. The court directive was in response to a PIL filed by citizens groups in Bangalore that wanted the old airport to remain functional. While the court declined to give an interim order to keep the old airport open, it directed the central government, the state and airports authority of India, to re-negotiate its deal on a peaceful note with the new airport promoters - BIAL and the directive was for two things- to discuss keeping the old airport open and changes in user development fee.

"No it is not an order, its only a direction given to the Union of India and to BIAL. So when they have given a direction to re-negotiate, definitely the union government has to think twice before closing the existing airport." says GR Mohan, Advocate

BIAL has declined to comment on the issue but sources say that in the absence of an order, the contract still holds good. But, for Bangaloreans, it is reason enough to cheer.

The case will now come up for hearing only in the second week of June. But with BIAL set to open on may 11th, what will the government do?

The court's directive does not mention a timeline, so unless the central government acts before may 10th, it will mean curtains for HAL airport next month. But the debate will rage on for there's a final judgment still pending and since the courts can overrule contracts in the larger public interest. Bangalore can still hold on to hopes of two airports.
Source : CNBC-TV18
Roshni Menon, CNBC-TV18
2008-04-16 16:52:26
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