Centre soon to take view on Kerala govt bid to run

A private player has already won a bid to operate the Thiruvananthapuram international airport but the central government will take a view on the second bidder, Kerala government, in the coming days, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in the Rajya Sabha Wednesday.

The cabinet has approved privatisation of six airports including one in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, he said during the Question Hour in the Upper House.

"This is privatisation (of Thiruvananthapuram airport). One private bidder has got it and then the Kerala government is apparently a second bidder. We have to examine that bid. I have seen a communication from chief minister of Kerala and we will be taking a view on this in the coming days," Puri said.

To a query by PDP MP from Jammu and Kashmir Nazir Ahmed Laway on steep rise in airfare during the pilgrimage period in the hill state, the minister said: "Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India, is no different from anywhere so far as airfares are concerned."
To question by BJP MP from Andhra Pradesh T G Venkatesh on opening Kurnool airport to the general public, the minister said work is in progress. "We are waiting for information and I will send it to you."