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BIAL Mess - Is cat out of the bag?

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kbsyed61 - 25 September, 2008 | BIAL | Bangalore | Media Reports | AAI | KSIIDC

There is an interesting news in Deccan Chronicle about the BIAL mess. According to this report, the reluctance on part of the private partners to infuse additional Rs. 200 crores, led to the inadequate facilities at BIA.

Courtesy - Deccan Chronicle

http://www.deccan.com/Bengaluru/City/CityNews.asp?#Stakeholders%E2%80%99%20refusal%20led%20to%20mess

Interestingly, the public representative seems to have gave in to the whims of private partners. Their silence doesn't end there. They continued to be silent till date. Their silence is understandable due to our political high handedness. Example is recent  180 degree turn in BBMP's hoarding policies.

Is the cat out of the bag? May be not. Many more such revelations are needed to know the whole truth. It is still too early to comment on the ramifications on this revelation if it were to be true. But still it relevant to ask some pertinent questions:

  1. Why are these GOK/GOI officials are tight lipped?
  2. Is because, in our governing system, the ultimate authority lies in Corridors of Political bosses and their offices?
  3. How does we empower these helpless (if they indeed are) souls to stand for the public good?
  4. How does the public partners get emboldened to force the private partners do the right thing?
  5. How do we ensure that private partners in public infrastructure are held accountable for their follies?

 

 

COMMENTS

Can we trust BIAL ?

Devesh - 26 September, 2008 - 15:41

BIAL knew well in time ... and did nothing

Two newspaper articles, published in Bangalore today, concerning BIAL, the company promoting Bengaluru International Airport, deeply saddened me, despite proving my claims right.

Readers will recall, for the past year, in public and on this blog, I have been claiming that the growth rate of aviation in Bangalore, was beyond the capacity of the new BIAL airport. My article "The case for keeping HAL airport open" highlights this.

The first article in The Times of India, quotes Mr. Albert Brunner, CEO of BIAL, “We started the process of planning for the Bangalore airport about two years before Hyderabad did. So we couldn’t anticipate the huge growth Bangalore was to see subsequently”

Thank you for making my point sir, after denying it for almost one year. But I would love to hear your corporation's response to the contents of the Deccan Chronicle article, also published today, which claims "According to a highly placed official, who was part of key board meetings of BIA during 2005 and 2007, none of the (private) partners were ready to fork out the Rs 200 crore that was needed to make the airport better, if not the best in the country."

The article clear contradicts BIAL's claim in the Times of India, about the high growth rate being unanticipated. The article quotes source who claim that ALL the partners in BIAL, governments included, were fully aware of the massive growth rate in Bangalore's aviation in mid 2006, while the terminal was still in blue-print stage, but the promoters refused to pump in a measly Rs. 200 Cr. additional, to ensure the required corrective action.

The article goes on to say “When the work on BIA had commenced, there was a report that called for immediate attention —colossal air traffic growth. The study was commissioned by BIAL. Lufthansa Consulting carried it out. The verdict was that between 2005 June and 2006 July, air traffic grew by 45 percent, the largest in the history of any city in the country. The revised traffic study showed Bengaluru's explosive air traffic growth and pegged it at 10.1 million passengers by 2010, which it has already crossed now,” sources said.

A special board meeting was called to discuss the report in mid 2006. “The stakeholders led by Mr Albert Brunner, were called to attend that meeting. During the meeting, all the four members of management belonging to Siemens, Unique (Flughafen Zürich AG) — Zurich Airport, Switzerland, Larsen & Toubro, and officials of the Airport Authority of India and KSIIDC were apprised of the situation. “The time was ripe to affect any changes in the structural and design plans as the blueprint was still on the drawing board and no work had taken place,” sources said adding that it was arrived at that an additional Rs 200 crore had to be invested to meet the growing demand.

Already drained in terms of the two years taken in signing the concession agreement, the private investors were in no mood to listen. “They outright rejected the proposal stating that a lot of time and money was already wasted and that they wouldn’t give in to the new demand, despite the state argued that it has provided land free of cost and centre stated that it was pumping in 13 percent of total cost.

But the private partners while refusing to pump in additional funds said that they could make good with a functional airport and at the same increase the airport’s capacity. So a compromise was made on the aesthetics and futuristic architecture to save money,” the official said. So what Bengaluru eventually ended up with is a 71,000 sqft unimpressive terminal with maximum holding capacity of 15 million passengers as claimed by BIA"

This disclosure and the apparent contradictions raise serious doubts about the commitment of the private partners, to the best interests of Bangalore, both short term and long term. The finger of suspicion, for refusing the additional investment, can be fairly pointed at Siemens, since it is the dominant private partner and has the most number of Directors on the board, at 5. As the CEO of the corporation, Mr. Brunner has to follow the instructions of the board.

Source : The Deccan Chronicle

Out of a total project funding of Rs. 2,015.23 Cr., the private partners have brought in only Rs. 326.70 Cr. i.e. about 16%. Despite being the minority funders, the private partners have been given inordinately high control and 40% of the equity.

One has to pause and think, whether it is this inordinate ceding of our rights to a private monopoly by government, that has resulted in Mr. Brunner's statement, in the Times, on "UDF being absolutely essential", “Only that will convince our shareholders to bring in more money for the second phase of development”. I am distressed by the implications of the message and angered by the dictation of terms.

In my recent article in praise of the operations at Bengaluru International Airport, I made the statement Trust will take time, and engagement is the method. Trust is a two way street. In an era of Corporate Governance, it is incumbent on any corporation, and its leadership to engage its stakeholders, including customers, with the highest levels of transparency and integrity, which breeds the required trust.

My good friend Syed, raises some very pertinent questions of government as well. Apart from being on the board of BIAL, they are responsible and duty-bound to uphold our rights.
  1. Why are the GOK/GOI officials tight lipped?
  2. Is it because, in our governing system, the ultimate authority lies in corridors of political bosses and their offices?
  3. How do we empower these helpless (if they indeed are) souls to stand up for the public good?
  4. How do we force the public partners to get emboldened and force the private partners to do the right thing?
  5. How do we ensure that private partners in public infrastructure are actually held accountable for their follies?
All these years of dealing with politicians seems to have taught BIAL a thing or two. If BIAL does not want us Bangaloreans taking all their statements, as we do of our politicians, with a huge pinch of salt, it's time for BIAL, which includes government, to come out and tell us the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

Get ready to be charged even more travel agent Transaction Fee

Devesh - 2 October, 2008 - 19:35

Read the bold portion in the last paragraph. This is positively scary. Talk about outright fleecing.

Airlines concede to Transaction Fee in India, mark it as part of OC column

TAAI agrees, TAFI awaits feedback from members

By Krupa Vora | Mumbai 
After a series of much-debated meetings between travel associations, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) and Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and airlines (Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher), the latter has conceded to reflect the Transaction Fee on air tickets. In a first of its kind development, airlines have agreed to include a new code-OC, which will be in a new column on the ticket.  As per International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations, the OC column existed in India but was not used until now. However, this inclusion will be applicable only from November 1 to December 31, 2009.

As per industry sources, TAAI has in-principle agreed to the decision of charging Transaction Fee and also informed its members about the same. However, TAFI is awaiting feedback from members on the decision. Only after receiving agreement from both the associations the airlines will implement the same.

Transaction fee
Domestic
International
Economy Class Rs 350/-Economy Class (TC 1 & TC 2) – Rs 2,500/-Business Class Rs 500/-Economy Class (TC 3) – Rs 1,200/-Economy Class Booklet Rs 2,500/-Business Class TC 1 & TC 2 – Rs 5,000/-Business Class TC 3 Rs 2,000/-Business Class Booklet Rs 3,500/-First Class TC1 & TC2 – Rs 10,000/-SAARC countriesFirst Class TC3 Rs 5,000/-

As per the decision, travel agents will now charge a Transaction Fee of Rs 350 per ticket on domestic Economy Class, Rs 500 per ticket on domestic Business Class, Rs 2,500 per Economy Class booklet and Rs 3,500 per Business Class booklet. Interestingly, tickets purchased for SAARC, which include Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be included under domestic travel. On international tickets, Economy Class that falls under TC1, which includes North and South America, Australia and New Zealand and TC2, which includes Europe, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and Africa and South West Pacific will be charged Rs 2,500 and TC3, which includes Middle East, South East Asia and China will be charged Rs 1,200. On international Business tickets for TC1 and TC2, the charge will be Rs. 5,000 while for TC3 will be Rs 2,000. International First Class tickets will be charged a fee of Rs 10,000 on TC1 and TC2 (Including South West Pacific) and Rs 5,000 on TC3 category.

It has also been decided that the Transaction Fee will not be refundable and will be retained by travel agents, even when a ticket is processed for refund. The agents can charge a fee over and above the cancellation charges for any modification or cancellation. The airlines will also charge the same Transaction Fee at the City Traffic Office, Airport Traffic Office and the website.

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

 

Indian domestic air passenger traffic goes from bad to worse

Devesh - 21 October, 2008 - 18:03

Cross posted from my blog

Indian domestic air passenger traffic goes from bad to worse

The bad news just does not stop for the domestic Indian civil aviation industry.

Recently released figures show an alarming drop to only 8.6 million domestic passengers for the third quarter of (July-September) 2008, with a miserable 2.68 million passengers for September 2008. This represents a 17% reduction over the same period last year, a 19% reduction from the previous month, and whopping 25% drop from the preceding quarter. Compare this with 33% annual growth in the previous three years.

Most industry experts attribute this drop due to the 25-30% reduction in capacity by airlines, and the 10-15% increase in fares.




Jet group (Jet Airways and JetLite) are still the dominant force in the industry, and with their new found ally the Kingfisher group (Kingfisher and Deccan) control almost 60% of the market.
 


Despite the deep cuts, flight load factors continue to drop. Experts feel there is an excess capacity of 20% or about 300 flights, which need to be cut, before the demand-supply balance is reached. This is evidenced by the sharp capacity rationalisation undertaken by Kingfisher Red (formerly Simplifly Deccan), which helped the airline raise its load factors from a miserable 39% in August to a more respectable 51.7% in September.



While all airlines have been witnessing a drop in traffic from the beginning of this year, the Kingfisher group shows a sharp decline of over 30% from the first quarter (Jan-Mar) of 2008 to the third quarter (Jul-Sep) of 2008.
 


The "perfect storm" of collapsing demand, increasing costs, and a global financial meltdown, has truly let loose its fury on the Indian domestic civil aviation industry. The FUD factor (Fear, Uncertainty, Doubt) is further curtailing traffic as India Inc., rushes to save costs. There is no doubt on the severity of the impact. The blame lies squarely with the airlines who followed a herd mentality and blindly rushed in to buying capacity, while growth was at 33% a year.

The airlines may not have had a plan to deal with 33% declines, but without a doubt, they need immediate rationalisation of the insane Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) taxation structure, that is killing the Indian civil aviation industry. It is time Mr. Murli Deora and Mr. P. Chidambaram start listening to the pleas of their cabinet colleague Mr. Praful Patel.

ATF price rationalisation may not solve all the problems, but at least, it is a start.

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Added at Praja

Given this scenario, the financial viability of both HAL and BIAL operating together needs to be examined. Both airports will experience insufficient traffic and will be hurt financially.

I am still convinced on the location of HAL airport, and the positive role its location, will play in regional traffic.

I cannot comment about Hyderabad, but I think, BIAL should immediately undertake a detailed study, including airlines, at the Airavat counters, and at the 2T AC coaches at Railways, and understand the reasons for the flight of the short haul traffic from the air. I am sure it is a combination of fare increases, slowing demand, and BIAL location.

If the study finds the location factor to be significant (need not be large), BIAL and AAI should form a JV to open and operate HAL airport, with the primary focus of re-capturing short haul traffic. It will also benefit BIAL financially, as pressure for additional investment at BIA will be delayed, while BIAL gets access to a ready made facility at HAL. It will also permit BIAL greater flexibility on the quantum of UDF, as UDF will have a negative impact no matter its amount. It also affords BIAL some excellent PR with government, and will blunt the unjustified criticism being levelled at the passenger terminal building (PTB) by the netas while giving BIAL time to fix the PTB and make the cosmetic corrections needed.

Airlines do not want to invest in two terminal staff, but are willing to sub-contract the terminal operations. Today ground handlers like Globe Ground or AI-SATS operate till the airside edge of the terminal at BIAL. At HAL the edge will be extended to the landside. This opens up business opportunities for them as well.

I will not say with whom in BIAL, I discussed this idea with, but the reaction was positive, in sense I was told, "this is interesting and worth exploring".
-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

Parliamentary committee recommends UDF witdrawal, reopen HAL

Naveen - 24 October, 2008 - 16:34

This comment has been moved here.

Jab apna hi sikka khota hai !

kbsyed61 - 26 September, 2008 - 13:32

Jab Apna hi sikka khota hey to Ghair ko kay denge ilzaam.... (when our own has betrayed us, what do we have say about outsiders) This is an old saying and fits properly to this context.I would say, lets not empty all the rotten eggs on Mr. Brunner's face. we should save some rotten eggs for GOK/GOI,also. I don't understand our whining about our numbers on Board. GOK has to give all the permits to run the BIAL, DGCA holds the key for issuing the license for running the airport, we still want to hide behind excuses like minority numbers on Board? Asking Mr. Brunner to tell the truth would be like asking the Hrashad Mehta/Ketan Parikh/GT Bank to tell the world that the cheated on us. It takes courage and sincerity to tell the truth. Corporate world scales zero on that front. If anybody has to break the silence, it is GOK and AAI officials who attended those board meetings and those who were entrusted with supervising the projects on behalf of the public.

BIAL includes GoI and GoK

Devesh - 26 September, 2008 - 13:43

Syed, I have taken the liberty of including your questions in my article. As far as I am concerned, GoI and GoK are equally responsible and equally answerable.

I refer to BIAL and to me BIAL = Siemens + Unique + L&T + KSIIDC (GoK) + AAI (GoI).

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

Ghost at BIAL :)

karihaida - 27 September, 2008 - 02:10

Slightly off topic http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2008/09/now-ghost-spooks-bia.html This might come in handy for pro HAL lobby :)

Syed, whoever it is, it has

Devesh - 27 September, 2008 - 13:17

Syed, whoever it is, it has to be senior since they have quoted from the board of directors meetings.



The issue here is not of the actions of BIAL, but rather the lack of pro-activism on their part, albietly on the behest of their promoters.



For the last year, I have been hearing from a variety of people from all aspects connected to BIAL, about various shortcomings that had to be forced down BIAL's throat. Something as simple as the canopies in the front and on the walk ways, canteens and restrooms for the non BIAL airport employees. Even today, airlines do not have their own office building. They are still using temporary facilities in what was to be BIAL's office.



I was told that BIAL wanted to start the airport without the ATC certified i.e. HAL ATC controlling the airspace.



This does not bode well for the long term. We should not have to waste our time and efforts monitoring BIAL and constantly pushing.



If we wanted an indifferent organisation that would react rather than pro-act, we could have taken any government organisation, like AAI. We do not need a BIAL for that.



I don't like to be critical of BIAL. I want to sit with them and work on making Bangalore airport much better, especially from a cargo standpoint. We deserve better and we should not be having to keep pushing for it.

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

 

Keeping Political Bosses Happy !

kbsyed61 - 28 September, 2008 - 03:58

Interesting story in Deccan Chronicle about how AAI bureaucrats manages the whims and fancies of political bosses. That seems to work wonders and the real job seems to be secondary. No wonder people were relieved with just a mention of airport managed by private companies.

http://www.deccan.com/Bengaluru/home/homedetails.asp#BIA%20needs%20a%20Mr%20Fix%20It

No wonder our bureaucrats are so popular among the business, industry and political circles. We do read all this on daily basis in news media about praises of this eite class.

How do we change this working and pleasing boss culture? If the bureaucrats can do it for political bosses, why not for general public also?

This working culture from our Babus's is taking toll on all the infrastructure projects, BIA being the showcase. BIA is fit case for a research and management thesis to demonstrate, how to be not functioning while claiming to be functionally incharge.

It is time the silent majority take note of this and act to stall further deterioration of government responsibility and actions. Otherwise, many more BIA's are in store for them.

 

 

Air passengers to pay yet another fee

Devesh - 30 September, 2008 - 11:19

Air passengers to pay yet another fee

The air transport cartel is at it, again. In all too familiar theme, we passengers must get ready to pay one more "fee".
-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

Ridiculous

s_yajaman - 30 September, 2008 - 11:19

And they also charge a congestion charge for Bombay (maybe other cities also).  As if passengers generally like to circle the airport.

I thought one of the objectives of any business is to minimize transaction costs.  Either the agent adds value or he does not.  If he does, then he deserves a fee.  If he does not he should not be paid.  Web bookings being charged? 

Why are they shooting themselves in the foot?

Srivathsa

 

 

Proving the MBA's wrong

idontspam - 30 September, 2008 - 13:07

Airline industry is a textbook case in management education worldwide on how porters 5 competitive forces play out to the maximum ensuring lowest margins for operators. Looks like India is planning to prove that wrong. They are piling it on you arent they? Tis the season. Make hay while Patel shines Let me add... welcome to India where everybody can screw the customer. You can dump him in trash cans and make him walk thru poo in the name of low cost airport. You can build him a warehouse and call it an airport. You can show him N Foster stations and then dump it for spit bins. You can pile on UDF & taxes till he is thinks twice about stepping near an airport.

BIAL is not alone !

kbsyed61 - 30 September, 2008 - 13:39

We were crying, cribbing, whining about BIAL becoming a monopoly and what not. We were worried about its supposedly "DON'T CARE" attitude and additional UDF fees to be paid. Looking at the airline's decision for charging more for the services that they don't provide, it is evident that, given a chance, business houses and industry would not leave any stone unturned for more profits and more gains. Does anybody care? I think the ordinary public should protests this high handedness from airlines. Otherwise we are setting a precedent of allowing the sharks to go for feasts more often. Just for a day, for domestic travel, they should take trains/buses/private transport rather than taking flights. Any takers for this?

Is it time for a "no-fly day"

Devesh - 30 September, 2008 - 15:25

I think the entire air travel industry is taking us for granted.

Is it time send all of them a signal ?

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

 

Devesh, I second your proposal !

kbsyed61 - 30 September, 2008 - 16:19

Devesh, I second your proposal for "No Fly Day" campaign, combined with protest for Immediate expansion of BIAL. Syed

Hosur is within 150 km

jammy97 - 22 October, 2008 - 09:00

narayan, Hosur is definitely within 150 km of BIAL. That is why "there is apprehension of BIAL citing the same rule to the Tamil Nadu government’s plans of building an airport in Hosur." (pg 7, TNN- 21st Oct 08). If BIAL can give permission to an airport in Hosur, they may as well give it to HAL.

BIA Mess; Visit of our Legislators to foreign airports

ssheragu - 5 October, 2008 - 02:54

ssheragu I saw a news item in the DH today (5-12-08) that in order to set right BIA some of our LEGISLATORS are visiting foreign airports like Zurich, Heathrow & Changi I thought Praja can contribute as ffollows 1. by suggesting, which are the best airports to be visited for study & learning experience; (here probably, Devesh, & our overseas friends like syed can immensely contribute) 2. since, the actual motive of this visit in the name of study, may be different, it is better that we suggest the minimum time period required for a meaningful study so that they can allot extra time for their sight seeing & purchasing pleasures. 3. It should be mandatory & compulsory for each LEGISLATOR to submit a report on their study to the public that clearly lists each of the various aspects in which these airports surpass BIA and where BIA falls short. 4. They should submit a Revised Plan after submission of their reports so that, the same can be implemented and BIA RECTIFIED. Thanks Srinath Heragu

Re: BIA Mess; Visit of our Legislators to foreign airports

jammy97 - 6 October, 2008 - 04:47

Hi Srinath, I too read this article. I agree that these ministers (or experts??) should submit reports relating to specific issues (eg exact capacity, UDF etc). Legislators submitting reports having generic information of BIAL (such as "lack of VIP lounge" or "factory building" etc)should be severly dealt with (we don't need official visits for such reports). Main idea of the reports should be to see that phase 1 expansion and phase 2 of BIAL are done according to global standards. Also, the emphasis has to be that Bangalore should be the aviation hub (atleast of south india) because of the following reasons: 1.Bangalore has high air traffic and Mumbai/Delhi airports are getting overcrowded. 2. Although Hyd airport is good, it lacks the passenger traffic. If BIAL has a better terminal 2, there is a chance that more airlines will make BIA as their hub.

Thanks Jammy!...

narayan82 - 22 October, 2008 - 11:57

I only wish SWR see this business oppurtunity in this Cat Fight! If they could expand/convert thier existing lines to provide a rail service from City to BIAL, and also from HOSUR to BIAL (Via EC, WHitefield and Cantt) they could have a very very popular, profitable commuter rail network. Or event if they somehow linked the Hosur Line with the HSRL - they could still pull it off. But thier apathy and lack of enthusiasm is ruining commuter's comfort/basic needs. I feel that maybe privatising the rail network across the country could be a wise idea. Similar to air traffic - tracks, route planning and even providing engine drivers/engines could be part of SWR. Private parties can manage coaches on trains or event apply for running trains on particular routes.

Bidar Vs Hosur

narayan82 - 22 October, 2008 - 04:44

Interestingly, HIAL/RGIA/GMR is writing to the MoCA to stop the Karnataka Govt. from letting Commerical Flights land on Bidar Airforce Base. It seems the Airforce Base lies within the "150kms Radius." Interestingly, i would like to find out if Hosur lies in the 150 km radius from BIAL? This can really provide us with such a good oppurtunity for connecting air travel with feeder services. Say every airport in India had this 150 kms clause, and we used rail/bus to connect the circle around each airport we could have such a well integrated transport system. So a highspeed train from BIAL to HOSUR could actually be much more useful, cheaper and greener than another airport at HOSUR. load factors in airlines too would increase!

Commuter Rail Line for South-East

Naveen - 22 October, 2008 - 13:38

 Narayan,

There is just one set of track/s on the south-east on which trains are running to Salem. The track starts at Byappanahalli & passes through /has following stations - Bellandur Rd, Karmelaram, Heelalige, Anekal Rd, Hosur, & onwards to Salem.

Commuter rail service has been recommended on this track upto Hosur in the CTTP. The route cuts Hosur road at Chandapura, & unfortunately does not go past Electronic City, nor does the route cover City, Cantt or Whitefield.

Hosur is very much within the 150 km radius

Devesh - 24 October, 2008 - 14:03

 

Interestingly, i would like to find out if Hosur lies in the 150 km radius from BIAL? Absolutely.

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

 

Parliamentary committee recommends UDF withdrawl, re-open HAL

Devesh - 24 October, 2008 - 16:25

 

Sorry, but I am unable to post the story in plain text mode, and I cannot shift in to RTF mode. http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com/2008/10/parliamentary-committee-recommends-udf.html -----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

 

Airport in Hosur

Devesh - 24 October, 2008 - 14:13

 

Dr. Ravindra and Dr. Ashwin Mahesh had written a white paper on this issue. http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2008/03/tale-of-two-airports.html. BIAL can cite all it wants. We are seeing the DMK flex its muscles repeatedly. Sethusamudram, Sri Lanka, etc. This would make an interesting poll. If TN says they want an airport in Hosur and become adamant, do you think UPA will risk the government over BIAL ?

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Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

 

Airport and Votes

narayan82 - 24 October, 2008 - 14:35

Right, So now we have the TN govt pressurizing and gunning for Hosur Intl Airport. And the elections are coming up. So honestly, how many votes is an airport going bring a party? Looking at the percentage of voters that turn out, how many voters really travel by air? Consdier our Pyramid population - how far below does Air Travel penetrate to - event after budget airlines entered? Also, airports mean about 1000-2000 Acres land minimum. So thats quite a few unhapy people (as compensation never seems to be enough.) I am not sure if Airports are vote winners, but they are definately moolah rakers! One airport, will shoot land prices to the moon faster than our rockets! And I am not including the "extra money" the bidder may invest.

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