Hyderabad: Begumpet airport that is counted among the 25 ghost airports in the country incurred an expenditure of Rs 45.84 crore in 2016-17 and Rs 77.72 crore in 2015, making it one of the most expensive airportswith zero commercial operations. The cost is borne by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The expenses were the highest in the financial year 2015-16, as it hosted the Wings India 2018 air show held once in every two years.
After commercial operations shifted from Begumpet to Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad in 2008, it entered the club of India’s ghost airports whose expenses are a burden on the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Currently the airports serves VVIP, Telangana State Aviation flights and also as Air Force cadets’ practice ground, with each entity bearing its own expenses.
It has not handled scheduled flights since 2008 but the staff that has to be paid and depreciation accounted for. The expenses include payment and allowances of the 370-member staff and operations and maintenance of the port. The AAI under the CA (India), for the last financial year paid GVK facility Rs 67.08 crore for the maintenance of its Air Traffic Control at Shamshabad
When this correspondent enquired with the union leader about the expenditure, he said “AAI recently renovated its Air Traffic Control (ATC) segment at a cost of Rs 3-4 crore and is carrying out cabling work. This apart, it is refurbishing its furniture as part of regular maintenance. Also it pays salaries to 170 staff members at Begumpet and over 200 at Shamshabad ATC.”.
It is not known to many that the Indian Air Force recently inaugurated its ATC at Begumpet airport, costing the IAF around Rs 400 crore. The Air Force training authorities will use the airport for the training of its cadets with a full-fledged Air control segment.
The office of the AAI told DC, “The Air authority of India has two set ups, Begumpet and Shamshabad (which includes ATC). In 2016-17, the AAI spent Rs 48.18 crore for Begumpet and Rs 68.58 crore for Shamshabad. The AAI pays GMR for office expenditure and more.”.
The Begumpet airport also serves VVIP air fliers, mainly the state Chief Minister, Union Ministers, President and Vice-President who visit the city.
According to a report carried out by Reuters, India's ghost terminals were built largely by the UPA government, which planned 200 ‘no frills’ airports. The report also says India has spent more than $50 million since 2009 on eight airports that do not receive scheduled flights. Some mitigation efforts are on now finally on their way.
