The row over shifting of the Aero India show from Bengaluru to Lucknow’s air base, Bakshi Ka Talab has led to a political slugfest. While Karnataka cries foul, setting aside all political arguments, former Air Force officers from the city believe it has every reason to make a pitch for the air show as it has the necessary infrastructure. The issue has to be looked at in practical terms and not become a matter of ego or political wrangling they emphasise.
Former Air Force chief, S Krishnaswamy points out that while Bengaluru has an aero space industry and a huge air base at Yelahanka, Bakshi ka Talab is not only small but also lacks world class hotels, which could put off exhibitors.
“The show could be held in Goa but it would be inconvenient (for those attending and exhibiting). It is not used to conducting such events , while Bengaluru has everything ready since the Indian Air Force (IAF) manages everything, including the security at the show,” he says.
Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Krishnaswamy (Retd) too belie- ves that the aero show cannot be taken elsewhere for the simple reason that other states do not have the required infrastructure. Pointing out that the aero shows at San Diego, Bethpage in New York and the Bournemouth Air Festival in the United Kingdom are all still held where they were initially started, he adds, “Abroad the infrastructure is developed at the places where the aero shows are hosted. An aero show is not a circus that it can be taken to different places.”
Also, Wing Commander MA Afraz (Retd) says that with the show being just a few months away it cannot be shifted as it would require a lot of preparation and infrastructure that the other cities don’t readily have.“We have HAL and a huge base in the city. The entire idea to shift the aero show does not make any sense since the air base in Lucknow is very small and unless the aero industry is developed no exhibitor would be interested in going there,” he reasons.
Although Kanpur, which is near Lucknow, has a big air base, it cannot host the aero show either as the slaughter houses in the city attract birds that would be a huge hindrance to flying, argue other IAF veterans.
As for those who note that the defence expo was easily shifted from Delhi to Tamil Nadu, Air Chief Marshal Krishna swamy says that that issue is entirely different as Tamil Nadu is an industrial base and well equipped to host it.
