Shri L.K. Advani,
Deputy Prime Minister said tourism sector in India has tremendous
opportunity both in terms of employment generation and infrastructure
development. Private sector and government have to synergies their
efforts in this context. Inaugurating ‘International Conference
on Aviation and Tourism: Strategy in Changing Environment’ here
today, Shri Advani said that tourism has acquired an enormous
economic significance during the last few decades. There is a
close linkage between the civil aviation and tourism. People should
develop a tourist-friendly attitude to promote tourism in the
country. Shri Advani called for more private participation in
tourism sector in the country. India is a long haul destination
and air transport is the vital linkage, he added.
Speaking on the occasion,
Shri Shahnawaz Hussain, Minister for Civil Aviation, said that
the Government is formulating a comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy
covering all sectors in the field of civil aviation. He emphasized
upon increasing role of private sector not only for reasons of
bridging the gap in resources but also to bring in greater efficiency
in management of aviation infrastructure. He said the Government
is proposing to have an Independent Airports Economic Regulatory
Authority for the limited economic regulation of airports particularly
in the context of private airports.
Shri Hussain highlighted
that restructuring of the four Metro airports of Delhi, Mumbai,
Chennai and Kolkata has been taken up with a view to upgrade them
to world-class standards, with significant investments of Rs.
16000 crore and technology/managerial skills from the private
sector. This restructuring exercise planned to be completed by
October 2003.
He further informed
that a project is under implementation jointly by Airports Authority
of India (AAI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO),
for developing indigenous capabilities for providing satellite
based navigation services, in line with ICAO decision to switch
over to satellite based navigation worldwide by the year 2010.
With this, India joins the select club of USA, Russia and European
Union, who are developing the capability to provide Satellite
Based Navigation Services.
The Minister said,
that the Government has approved establishment of new international
airports at Hyderabad and Bangalore. The State governments of
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have initiated effective steps to
implement these projects, with 74% private sector participation
and State Governments and Airports Authority of India will hold
balance 26% equity.
Underlining the importance
of airports security, Shri Hussain informed that Central Industrial
Security Force (CISF) has already been deployed at about 44 airports
in the country. Other major steps include deployment of Sky Marshals
both in national as well private domestic airlines, secondary
ladder point frisking in all airlines, deployment of Strike force
at all major airports, and strengthening of cockpit doors by installing
a safety bar/dead bolt.
