By IANS
Bangalore : The civil aviation ministry has asked Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) to consider a suitable date after May 10 for the opening of the city’s new airport.
In a letter to the consortium Thursday, the ministry said as the air traffic control (ATC) services would not be available by March 30, it was not able to permit opening of the new international airport on the anticipated date of March 30.
The new airport is coming up at Devanahalli, about 37 km from the city centre.
“Given the status of the availability of ATC services, the ministry has directed BIAL to consider a suitable date after May 10 for the Rs.25-billion greenfield airport opening,” the letter said.
The ministry also pointed out that while all agencies had confirmed their readiness, state-run Airport Authority of India (AAI) had reservation about the availability of ATC by March 30.
“Delays in the construction of ATC facilities, including the control tower, technical block, office accommodation of AAI personnel and issues like electricity supply, house-keeping, air-conditioning at the ATC facilities were the reasons for this delay,” the letter pointed out.
Earlier, the ministry had intimated the anticipated date to the various central government agencies, which are responsible for the performance of reserved activities at airports across the country.