Mangalore Airport is safe, says M R Vasudeva

Outgoing Director thanks public for support

Mangalore Airport outgoing director M R Vasudeva said that he is bowing out with immense satisfaction. Despite many hurdles, Mangalore has become one of the well-developed airports in India.

He was addressing a gathering after receiving the felicitation, organised by Airport Authority of India and staff at Mangalore Airport in Bajpe on Wednesday.

He said that he is happy to see the development, Mangalore Airport has achieved over the years, under his leadership. “If I have done something, it is because of the support from Airports Authority of India (AAI), my team and the public. When I see the love and affection of the people, I am sure that I have not done anything wrong in my career,’ he said.

“Mangalore was once a small airport with not much traffic, no work, and buildings. Before I took charge as the director, there were a lot of issues like acquisition of land, protests and so on. From then onwards, to the present Airport, it has been a long journey, which was supported by AAI, colleagues, authorities, media and public. Anywhere you can do this ‘magic’, but with a good support,’ he added.

‘Airport is safe’

M R Vasudeva said that the Mangalore Airport is safe for travelling. “There are no ‘ghosts’ in the Airport. ‘Ghosts’ are inside those people who have vested interests,’ he said and added that the Airport is equipped with proper safety measures and expert staff. “Our fire service is one of the best and has bagged the best fire station award continuously,” he added and also said that landing of Airbus 310 weighing 1.5 lakh kgs in September shows the ability of Airport to handle big aircraft.

He said that media should not give huge importance to minor incidents in the Airport. “All systems have flaws. However, making minor faults big issue is not a good tendency,” he said.

Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari Dr Veerendra Heggade felicitated M R Vasudeva. AAI Regional Executive Director D Devaraj, Mangalore Airport new Director G T Radhakrishna, Yakshagana scholar Dr Prabhakar Joshi were present.