The Ministry of Civil Aviation is ‘optimistic’ that it will be able to push through the privatisation of six airports, including Chennai and Kolkata before the general elections next year. This is despite work on critical documents such as the model concession agreement and Request for Proposal (RFP) is yet to be complete.
The process has also seen some delay as the last date for short-listing of potential parties for Chennai airport has been pushed back to November 4 from late October. The process for the airport privatisation, which began in September, has to be completed by March-April next year, otherwise it will be derailed as the model code of conduct will set in.
“There is some cushion available. We are optimistic (about completing it). The experience of Delhi and Mumbai airport modernisation will help the process. Our effort is to see that Request for Proposal, Requests for Qualification, the concession agreement and other documents are properly drafted so that no issues are raised later,” Secretary Civil Aviation K.N. Shrivastava, told newspersons here on Monday.