Raje govt wants VIP annexe at Jaipur airport, AAI agrees
BIGGER Aircraft carrying the chief minister and government that operate from a hanger is too small
The Rajasthan government has requested the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to build a separate terminal in the form of an annexe at the Jaipur airport for VIP movement.
At present, the state aircraft carrying VIPs, including the chief minister and the governor, is operated from the state hangar.
However, this demand is contrary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s move to end VIP culture in the country. After putting a ban on the use of red beacons recently, the PM had said that move is aimed at removing VIP culture and replacing with a concept that “Every Person is Important” (EPI).
“There is a state hangar but it’s too small. Acting on a government request, AAI has offered 2.5-acre land for the proposed annexe, but the government is yet to respond,” airport director J S Balhara told HT.
According to an AAI official, the VVIPs need a separate entry and exit due to ensure their security and this is not a case special to Jaipur but there are similar arrangements at some other state capitals like Lucknow. The separate entry and exit also prevent regular travellers from any inconvenience or delay due to security protocol, the official said.
The AAI has asked for additional land in exchange. “We are in talks with the government for allocation of 14 acres of land to expand the facilities at the airport, so the 2.5-acre land that we propose to allocate will also be adjusted against the land parcel,” he said.
The proposal to build an annexe for VIP movement at the airport is at a preliminary stage so no cost estimate has been done so far. However, the state government will bear the expenses for the building, he said.
In 2015-16, Jaipur airport witnessed 22,772 domestic aircraft movements, data available on the AAI website showed.
At present, other aircraft carrying VIPs and other passengers are being operated from terminal-2 of the Jaipur airport.
The AAI has also sought a cap on high rises near the airport. High-rises constructed in nearby areas pose a security threat.