Chennai, Sept 21:
Opposition parties have opposed reports that the Tamil Nadu government has sought a change in the operator of Chennai airport from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to a private player.
According to reports, Chief Minister Vijay had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, citing the need to improve passenger traffic, aircraft movements and cargo-handling capacity at the airport. However, Union Minister L Murugan said he had spoken to the Civil Aviation Minister, who told him that no such letter had been received from the Tamil Nadu government so far.
CPI State Secretary M Veerapandian and CPI(M) State Secretary P Shanmugam opposed any move to replace AAI, stressing that Chennai airport is an important public asset. They said improvements should be made under public-sector management and alleged that handing over the airport to a private operator would amount to privatisation.
The DMK and other parties, including AMMK and Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi, also criticised the reported proposal. The parties said Chennai airport plays a crucial role in Tamil Nadu’s industrial, trade, tourism and cargo sectors and should continue under AAI management.