The State government on Wednesday filed a writ petition in the High Court challenging a proposal of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to grant the right of operation, management, and development of the Thiruvananthapuram international airport to Adani Enterprises Limited.
The government sought a declaration that the AAI is bound to accept a proposal of the former submitted through the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) for concession for operation, development, and management of the airport on a par with the amount offered by Adani Enterprises. The petition also pleaded for a declaration that the KSIDC was entitled to preferential consideration over Adani Enterprises in public interest for the operation of the airport.
In its petition, Jyothilal K.R., Principal Secretary, Transport Department, said the Centre refused to adhere to its assurance given in 2003 that the State government would be consulted when a decision to induct the private sector in the management of the airport was taken, considering the contributions of the State towards acquiring additional land for the airport.
The Centre had declined a request of the government to transfer the operation of the airport to the government-formed special purpose vehicle. In fact, public interest demanded that the State government and the KSIDC should have been preferred, especially when the Chief Minister had offered the same passenger tariff quoted by the Adani group.
The tender process was vitiated because the clause on previous experience in airport management had been omitted.