Centre keen on improving BIA: Patel

Patel was speaking to journalists after meeting Karnataka Legislative Joint House Committee on "Development of BIAL" headed by Hemachandra Sagar. He said the Civil Aviation Ministry has taken note of the issues including passenger facilities and design. The minister assured that the centre would take steps to improve passenger amenities at BIA to match top international airports.

"The Government is keen on improving the airport and would ensure the developers provide facilities that are of international standards," he said.

He also asked the committee to send a copy of its report with recommendations to the Ministry and promised to implement them when the airport is upgraded. Earlier, the Committee members visited Hyderabad and Delhi airports to study the facilities provided to passengers there.

Sagar told newsmen that the committee appraised the ministry of BIAL's shortcomings and urged him to prevail upon the developer to address them immediately.

The Committee was constituted to monitor BIAL's activities, as Karnataka's legislators cutting across party lines criticised the developer for poor services and giving away more space for commercial establishments. They also hold BIAL accountable for its failure to build an airport of international standards despite getting funds and adequate land from the state government.