After taking her permission, I post the reply from Ms. Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw to Mr. C.N. Kumar's post http://bangalore.praja.in....
Dear Mr. Kumar,
You can call us hypcrites and any other names you choose. The fact is that we were not aware of the fact that there was an exclusivity clause that banned a 2nd Airport within 150 KMs of Bangalore for 30 years! We started with a connectivity issue which obviously became apparent only when we actually initiated an exercise to reach BIAL from various parts of the city. This process started almost a year ago when we had a squabbling coalition government followed by Governor's rule. To say that we are hypocrites is grossly unfair. We like the rest of Bangalore assumed that the Government was addressing the connectivity issues to BIAL and believed their statements in good faith. I have personally on several occaisions raised this issue to the Chief Minister who assured me that the Government was giving it their top priority. The actual facts became apparent only when a group of us conducted actual travel to BIAL from various parts of the city. What started as a connectivity issue soon also threw up capacity issues and finally cost issues like UDF. I find it rather surprising that you choose to blame us for the BIAL fiasco whereas in effect the Government and all the stakeholders have not brought up these issue to the fore. Even BIAL has not been forthcoming about sharing the basis on which they sought the concessions provided by the Government. The fact that there was no exit clause for exclusivity is something that is shocking. If a project needs to be made viable through guarantees this is perfectly understandable. However, all legal agreements have exit clauses that break the exclusivity if certain conditions to assure its financial viability are met. The BIAL agreement was found to be unviable based on the passenger traffic projections that were based on the baseline traffic at the time the project was tendered. The 2010 projections were exceeded in 2008 itself. This certainly makes a strong case to break the exclusivity that banned a second airport. Unfortunately the agreement does not provide for this and in fact has an exclusivity in perpetuity! To say that contractual obligations are being compromised is one thing but to challenge an unfair agreement is another. hence the only recourse we had was to file a PIL. Sir, this is not about "head honchos" versus the common man. This is about compromising Bangalore's economic future and Bangalorean's quality of life. Please understand that given the number of projects that are on going viz. The Bangalore Metro, BIAL etc. the city is going to be almost unlivable unless we take urgent measures to decongest the traffic, build new roads and upgrade existing roads and take steps to deal with the traffic diversions that the Bangalore Metro project will entail. I don't think citizens have taken all this into consideration. We are all looking at a crisis waiting to happen. Retaining HAL airport addresses both connectivity and capacity issues in an effective way. Splitting domestic air passenger traffic between North and South Bangalore will certainly decongest the city's traffic especially at a time when a number of roads will be dug up for the Metro rail project. Either you can be armchair critics and point fingers at those that atleast try and act on what they think is an avoidable siutation. We do realize that it is a thankless job and it is sad that people like you criticize us for the efforts we are making. Since this is the reaction of fellow citizens, we will desist from any further efforts and let everyone suffer the consequences. Don't then tell us that we did not try. There I rest my case. Regds, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Forward this Forum topic
{Important] A mixed up campaign, want to get it right.
Devesh, as I said earlier, you folks have not 'managed' this campaign well, and good intentions have been miscommunicated to the extent that good meaning citizens are now calling each other "hypocrites" and "armchair critics". Why couldn' t you folks have filed two separate PILs, one for calling a revisit of the concession agreement, and another for keeping HAL open due to govt's failures on connectivity!?
Govt not operating and communicating its operations and intentions clearly enough is one thing, but a group claiming to represent the citizens not doing a good job of managing its communications (and mixing up its intentions) is another.
Referring to the "miss" in noticing the concession agreement - not to blow our own trumpet, but may be that is why we need things like praja.in.
When an industry body tries to rally for citizen's causes, hopes get raised as the body consists of esteemed names like Mrs Shaw and so many others. That leads to higher expectations, and deeper scrutiny than of the government itself. That leads to exaggerated reactions (hypocrites, honchos etc), so please do ignore some unnecessary flak you may have taken here..
Correspondingly, Mrs Shaw, before you call some of us here armchair critics, please do realize that we have limited resources and reach, we aren't CEOs and execs yet. When you folks fail to push through the things you said you try, imagine the effort we have to put in to make things move or bring change.[BTW, Naveen and I had been to CityConnect to talk possibilities of CityConnect 'using' praja.in site to 'communicate' and help convert some 'potentials' to 'activists'. The response, the way we interpreted it, was not encouraging at all.]
In the end, it is only sad, that an almost legitimate campaign by well-meaning folks, (who happen to be top managers and leaders) has been mismanaged and mixed up. Your good luck that there is no politics possible on this thing due to elections, otherwise some politicos would have used this to split us citizens and eaten some of us for lunch.
I can say some more, but would risk being mis-read and mis-represented. Perhaps, Mr Devesh, if you could organize a meeting between some Praja members and Mrs Shaw or CityConnect, we can bring back the 'redo BIAL agreement' and 'need a second airport' campaigns back on track.
Madam - Fighters don't stop fighting !
Madam Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw,
Your detailed reply merits a detailed response. Not just rebuttals but with lot of central issues that seems to have fallen on blind alleys. IA, I shall reply to you very soon, meanwhile your last sentences not only surprised me but also are very disturbing.
".........Since this is the reaction of fellow citizens, we will desist from any further efforts and let everyone suffer the consequences. Don't then tell us that we did not try......."
Madam, a true fighter and a leader never stops his fight just because of few criticisms. First of all they don't start the fight if they do not have the conviction in the causes for the fight. Once they begin they do not stop because of criticism. These sentences of yours reflects that this fight is with NO CONVICTION.
I am sure you did not mean this. I am sure you are convinced on the fight and its real objectives. Fighters don't runaway from battle ground. Madam, you are a fighter and be a fighter till the end.
In the end for motivation, let me repeat that great couplet from Dr. Iqbal
"Nahin tera Nasheiman Qisre Sultani ke Gunbad Par,
Tu Shaheen hai Basera kar Pahardon Ki chattanoen Mein"
(You are not a pigeon to live on tombs and minarets, you are a falcon that lives on mountain tops)
Regards,
Syed
broken record
Now come the excuses
Why don't youask your head honcho Mr Murthy of Infosys - he was on the BIAL board - probably the guy who betrayed you - don't blame BIAL - don't punish us the common man. Unless you Ms. Mazumdar was living in a Silo, the fact that HAL will be shut down has been in the news for quite some time.
You have a choice with the new airport, drive to the new airport or take the flight out of the city - there goes one whiner - thank god - Hopefully you will find a city in India that will satisfy you
Response to Kiran Mazumdar's reply !
Madam Kiran Mazumdar, Greetings,
After reading your response to a post written by Mr. Kumar, I could not resist myself to write a small piece as a response to your reply. Hoping that I can make an attempt to put accross the view point that some of our Praja members are trying to say. Some of this conversation even though was not cordial. The back and forth conversation between you and praja members reminded me of a couplet in urdu by poet Dr. Iqbal:
" Woh Hamein ilzam detain hein ke hum Ba-Wafa nahin, Agar hum Ba-wafa nahin to, woh bhi to dildaar nahin "
(They accuse us of dis-loyalty, if we are not loyal, then they are also not very generous)
Madam, at the outset let me say that praja members are not against any of you personally. In fact I will not be wrong to say that Praja members appreciates the fact that people like you and other prominent personalities from all walks of people are standing up for the causes that are important to Bangalore in general. This is neither an apologetic gesture nor a guilty pleading.
What is being debated, talked and opposed is the timing and rational behind taking up one issue of "Keep HAL Open" where as there are multiple issues that are central to this issue of BIAL are being overlooked. From media avenues it looks like the fight is only for "Keep HAL Open".
Let me try to explain what is being so pronounced on Praja about this great BIAL saga. All the praja members are trying to saying is, right now Bangalore needs a decent airport facility. Not a quick-fix or bandage. I am sure even the industry needs a decent and good airport with Cargo operations. I hope there are no 2 opinions on this and we are all on same page on this.
With all the efforts (how ever small they are) from GOK, MoCA and private consortium, a new airport has come up and is ready for operations.
Looking at BIAL and the Bangalore's needs, different people are saying different things. But all are alluding to the fact that BIAL in its current capacity might not meet all present and future demands. This could be 100 % true and also need not be 100% true. Coming days/weeks will tell the truth.
We can keep arguing back and forth, but the fact remains that Bangalore's air traffic growth and BIAL has thown up a Challenge for all of us. In order for us to take this challenge head-on, we need to address this challenge from its enterity not address a small portion of larger problem.
Otherwise 10-15 years from now, we would be saying,
" Hum Idhar Ke Rahe na Udhar Ke, Na Sanam Mile Na Sanam-Kade"
(We reached neither here nor there, Neither we got our beloved (God/Lover) nor the lover's abode)
There are issues that are central to this challenge. You talked about all these in your reply. Those are the crux of the matter that needs our attention.
"....given the number of projects that are on going viz. The Bangalore Metro, BIAL etc. the city is going to be almost unlivable unless we take urgent measures to decongest the traffic, build new roads and upgrade existing roads and take steps to deal with the traffic diversions that the Bangalore Metro project will entail. ..."
Fight for keeping HAL open is only a pain-killer for the symptom that needs an urgent surgery. Any thing other than the full fledge surgery would not be in Bangalore's interest. It is not in the interest of Bangalore economic future. Fight for HAL can/should go on, but also it is time we put up a united fight for better air-traffic infrastructure.
All these debates, criticism, not-so-kind remarks and opposition to protest on HAL issue has to be looked from this context of larger benefits. It should not be looked through the lense of HAL Open only solution.
As I write this piece, some of the Praja members have alraedy talking of puting up a larger united fight and efforts along with city-connect & others that include fight for HAL also.
Given the context and perspective from Praja Members, I am sure you will agree with me that this needs a comprehensive efforts, where more help is needed and required.
Therefore I request you and other friends who are involved with HAL open fight to take up the broader issues also and not concentrate on one issue only.
History will be witness to our words and actions. Mine and yours.
Regards,
Syed
Praja members, Below is my
Praja members,
Below is my rsponse to Kirans letter.My note is also addressed to RK Mishra , since in the version to hit direct myinbox there was a bit pof preamable from RKM.
On rereading my note , I do realise that I have also become a trifle emotional on the issue and perhaps said a couple of things best left unsaid under the circumstances.
A single rallying point henceforth should be the transparent, empowered regulatory body ..right now the focus should be to make BIAL as much of a sucess as possible.
vmenon
Letter to kiran and RK Mishra
Well,
This is exactly what I had feared and have been warning about in some other forums .Two groups which would have normally aligned on the same side against a common enemy, splitting almost irrevocably on this BIAL VS HAL issue...or rather to be more exact ..the "keep HAl open issue"
I will not answer some of the more , i think emotional outbursts, ..the armchair critics, e mail critics etc comments.I say emotional because it might have escaped someone's notice that we are talking here of people who are actually in the front line where rubber hits the road, fighting civic issues on a lot more consistent basis than a one flash in the pan airport issue.
So let me again in this forum , try to put down the viewpoints( I think) of this alternate viewpoint.
a)There is an alternate viewpoint whether you like it or not
-Firstly and most importantly , There is an alternate viewpoint out there to the "KEEP HAL OPEN DIN".If citi connect refuses to hear this..it is their prerogative.But all I can say is that this is not a small voice.
b)An who are these jokers with an alternative viewpoint ?
Many in this "alternative viewpoint: have not taken to the streets , so to say ,because of a few of the following...which by itself is revealing.
---too busy fighting civic issues which( in thier minds) effect banaglore and the common man more than this limited airport issue.
---Not wanting to fight to out there in the open with people who are actually all on the same side of the larger war .
---The time to fight(BIAL) is not now. It is after BIAL opens( I personally come from this segment)
The important thing here is that I am talking of an active base of citizens, who are not the armchair critics but very much in the forefront of civic work.
And please reserve that "Armchair critic" definition for your cocktail circuits..
c)source of irritation with citiconnect
There are few things that have outright irritated this "alternate viewpoint" group../groups.
---That this "KEEP HAL OPEN" is projected as a citizen movement, a widebased common opinion and want of bangalore.The quicker Citi connect realises that this is not correct the better for future programs.Again at the ground zero of civil society,(the RWES , the activists fighting for better zoning. etc).this is actually a non issue, blown out of proportion .
--That Citi connect is showing all the signs of the BATF....namely the following
i) a tunnel vision
ii) that a few "brains' can correct all of bangalore ills.This viewpoint is actually no different from the bureaucracy or political circuit!!
iii)And I am sorry to say, It is starting to look like a corporate agenda.
( Very Very Very briefly civil society is now talking of another paradigm, no more investments in roads flyovers etc...pedestrain access/cycle access/breaking of government monopoly on public transport/Bring down traffic on roads,/disincentiveifor 4 wheeler usage).If these are not heard by citi connect, then again there will be a disconnect in future.
--It also adds to the irritation that the "KEEP HAL ARGUMENT" has failed to find a consistent note..from connectivity , to traffic, to monoploly, to foriegn hand, to safety issues,to conspiracy , back to connectivity and lastly even job opportunities.Now all we need is a reservation angle to make it a complete desi affair.
--it irritates no end and is actually strategically non productive to have finance heads of companies actually state that growth will be down by x percent all because HAl is not kept open.
The people out here are not exactly fools .Also do consider one very real reaction,to that statement .."Perfect..thats just what we want.... a slow down for bangalore ..a chance for bangalore to breathe."
Most of course have seen such degrowth comments as an absolute validation of their fears that the "keep hal open" is all about corporate and a minority segment benefits. and nothing really to do with bangalore at large.
d)On the airports issue itself.
Not for a moment should you think , that these groups are are not aware of the situation , data , background , intricacies etc.The worst thing you can do is to assume that "they do not know all the details."
On essentially the same set of data , and with an agreement that there could be a problem out there, by and large this group has rejected that the solution is... "Keeping HAl open as of now" ..the operational words being "as of now"
This note cannot go in to all the details of that thinking, but it is beyond just contract issues and definitley not on connectivity issues.
e)And now the common points.
It is believed that there are a lot of common points, once the demand to "keep HAl open" is off the table.This note can only give a flavour of this aspect.
--Both parties are interested in disclosures from MOCA and BIAL
--Both parties want specifc answers to traffic capacities and how MOCA and BIAL aim to handle this.
--And though , it is said connectivety is not the issue( in some forums), ..it actually is .
And "common man" group wants some assuarances that didisproportionate spending is not done from our meagre resources to give a "21st" century connectivity to BIAL.
In other words..how does one make BIAL , successful, transparent, responsive , efficient ,customer friendly without "keep HAL open" being a prerequisite.
f) One last point
It could only be expected from the BIAL CEO to be cagey and non communicative, when he was actually fighting to keep his project on,Difficult to see him coming forth with data , which could have been used by any one in whichever way he or she wanted.
The situation can change from 23rd once he is operational and ha actual customers.
The KIC ruling on RTI is also there , but I doubt it will stand a real fight in the courts, which one should expect BIAL to do.
The need of the hour as in many areas is a transparent regulatory body.
Give us a break!
It is admirable the way Kiran M Shaw and Co are fighting to keep HAL open, how the Bangalore City Connect folks are looking into the "interests" of us bangaloreans! Its funny how they question us for calling them hypocrites, then call us arm chair critics! As far as I know praja members have been asking questions and raising valid questions on Bangalore's infrastructure longer than the 6 month old City Connect and to be lectured to on how they are doing this"thankless" job makes me want to throw up. This forum is for improving Bangalore, we are not expecting thanks for being citizens. Neither do we create a so called NGO and focus on one issue like the airport. It is funny how Ms Shaw and co's NGO is filled with corporates from the IT sector in South Bangalore and how concerned they are for the whole of Bangalore. It is funny that the road leading to electronic city which now is somewhat something you can travel on is still incomplete. It is funny how they did nothing to improve the road to to their own doors but are jumping up and down on this. Suddenly Mr Agarwal and Ms Shaw are aviation experts, are suddenly speaking out for us citizens and then questions us for criticizing them. Frankly I am willing to go on record that this NGO of their will not last long and will disappear as soon as thier interests are met. Their narrow focus on just one issue is not in the interest of this city or the citizens. In the words of Syed - Take up broader issues and not concentrate on one issue only!
Beats me
What beats me is the fact that a group of business heads, for whom creating business proposals would be like drinking water, don't get the problem solving correctly! I'm sorry to sound harsh here, but thats how it is. As I've said earlier (which is so far uncontested), the basic approach of problem solving is screwed up in this case. Let me state again and lets see if someone contests it:
Capacity at BIAL seems to be the only real issue that no one could foresee (rest of the issues are really non-issues - they were there and we failed to see; this is not the time to crib about it).
So, what are the solutions for this capacity problem? Keeping HAL open may be one of the options. Lets not jump to conclusions. I want to see a set of options. Lets see options with solid proposals. Clearly, that has not happened. Lets think logically. Lets act transparently. Lets have vision and think long term.
I back Syed and other praje's thinking - lets go aggressively to get what is promised from BIAL. Meanwhile, lets work on the options and create solid proposals. If BIAL can't deliver (say 6 months to a year down the line), we'd always have the options to choose from.
puurfect!!
Navshot!!
Absolutely perrfect and not only that very very crisp!!
Vmenon
Madam, You are one of
Madam, You are one of busiest persons in Bangalore and I appreciate your time you find to put on this effort. Your contribution and support on retaining HAL airport will be remembered and welcome by many people in Bangalore. As you said correctly, it is a thankless job. Many of our own friends (especially from the concessionaries of BIAL and real estate ) donot seem to understand or bother about the trap Banaglore air travellers are getting into by allowing BIAL monopoly. Slowly the country as a whole itself is seeing this two airport episode with eagerness what will happen next. Please do continue with your contributions to keeping Bangalore a good place to live based on what you think is right.
Deep in our hearts we all know that BIAL has taken unfair advantage of the situation unduely in their favour by means of concession agreement and they are trying to force their way through irrespective of their handling capability and public feelings. Our government netas /babus are indifferent as usual and they are as good as foreign to us.
Rakesh.
My response
Way forward?
Either the two groups, "views expressed my a lot of members here at Praja" vs "HAL now" waste time by staying engaged with each other, or we join forces to get the campaigns back on track. Give or take a few things and specifics, the way to do that would be
- Defend that ruling by KIC that brings BIAL under RTI. It is highly likely that BIAL will go to the courts to get the overturned
- File a separate PIL to make governments renegotiate the
concession agreement with BIAL. Clauses need to change to add more
"exit routes".
- Till an airport regulating authority comes into existence, setup a public watchdog/group to monitor BIAL service levels
- Work like mad to monitor connectivity improvements to BIAL, and for whole of Bangalore, not just Hebbal (with preference to public transport.)
If CityConnect wants to stay inflexible and closed-doors, their choice. If it wants to work with wider, open and transparent groups, here we are :)2 different issues here
There are 2 distinct and relaistic issues here.
The first one being, that there is a new airport constructed spending a whopping amount of public money and it is being opened without proper connectivity.
The second one being that the capacity of the new BIAL airport will be inadequate and hence a second airport need to be in place for Bangalore.
The first issue of the connectivity is real and it needs to be addressed as a priority. Instead of wasting our protests in asking HAL to remain open, we should pressurise Govt. to improve connectivity.
The second issue has 2 solutions. Either keep the HAL airport open, or upgrade BIAL as soon as possible. I believe the second solution should be implemented, as I am sure BIAL can manage the current levels of traffic comfortably for atleast a year. This means our efforts should be again emphasised on BIAL rather than HAL.
For both the problems we need to put pressure towards BIAL rather than keeping HAL open. After all it is an airport which we have been waiting for since ages and spent a lot of money on it. I dont know why the likes of Ms. Shaw misdirect their protests and their weightage. If citizens concern is the main issue, it should be BIAL which should be given priority.
" We like the rest of Bangalore assumed that the Government was addressing the connectivity issues to BIAL and believed their statements in good faith"
It is your and our "assumption" that is causing these problems now. And we are payign for it. So let us atleast gather the momentum in the right direction now. it is a fact that the Govt. hoodwinks us. So its time for us all to come together, I see a bright path ahead for Bangalore if all of us like minded people unite instead of bickering amongst us.
moving ahead ..and quickly before quagmire sinks all of us.
From the article:
Brunner of BIAL explains that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) rates airports on a scale of one to five on 27 different parameters, like accessibility, parking facilities and ease of check-ins. Some of the best airports, like Changi and Zurich, are in the range of 3.9 to 4.1. "In India, the best rating that any airport has managed to achieve until now is only 2.6," he says. "According to our agreement, BIAL has to achieve a minimum rating of 3.5 for the new international airport. If we do not achieve this, we are obliged to return the airport to the government."
My comments:
While speaking to the liason for corporate communications with BIAL, Mr R Mithun, he informed me that BIAL has three years to achieve the required IATA rating. Atleast as quality conscious customers / end-users we can be assured that since such a damocles' sword is hanging on BIAL - they will have to perform to International standards.
I was going through the CA
I was going through the CA when I read your post. Article 9 of the CA talks about the performance requirements to be satisfied by BIAL. I am posting some relevant sections below:
"9.2.2 BIAL shall participate in IATA surveys and shall ensure that a survey is
conducted each year in accordance with IATAs requirements to determine
the Airports performance. The first such survey shall be conducted during
the third (3rd) year after Airport Opening.
9.2.3 If three (3) consecutive surveys show that the Airport is consistently rated in
respect of the service standards under BIALs direct control, as lower than
IATA rating of three and a half (3.5) (in the current IATA scale of 1 to 5),
BIAL will produce an action plan in order to improve the Airports
performance which must be implemented within one (1) year.
9.2.4 If the Airport continues for a further one (1) year to be rated as lower than
IATA rating of three and a half (3.5) (in the current IATA scale of 1 to 5) in
respect of the service standards under BIALs direct control, the GoI may
direct BIAL to produce a further action plan to improve the Airports
performance which must be implemented within one (1) year.
9.2.7 If the Airport continues to be rated as lower than three and a half (3.5) (in
the current IATA scale of 1 to 5) in respect of the service standards under
BIALs direct control due to BIALs poor performance in the survey
conducted in respect of the two (2) years following the date that BIAL first
becomes liable to pay such liquidated damages, GoI shall have the right to
terminate this Agreement."
If this is not a good enough exit clause then I don't know what else is. Corporate world is all about performance which I am sure Devesh knows a lot about. This clause talks about that and it should be a good enough parameter to judge the services of BIAL.
Not a good example.
The talk of connectivity to new airport, in my experience traveling to old airport was a hell to me. It takes 1.5 hrs to travel from RT Nagar to HAL a distance of 14.3 Kms. Can some one help me to have better connectivity ?
Regarding the protest against HAL closure. If we look at the people who are protesting are either styaing in Indiranagara, Koramanagal and Palm Medows. For them the airport is virtaully in thier back yard.!! Also, I came to know to why a leading english daily is gives so much promince; because their Editor stays at Indiranagar !!!.
I remember a book "Games Indians Play", where "influential", so called "intellectuals" and "politians" is always against development and constructive work. This case is one such example.
V_menon - You hit Nail on the head!
User Interaction Designer
Bangalore
I think most of you are
I think most of you are hitting nails on the wrong head. Nobody ever said BIAL should not open. It is BIAL who wants HAL airport shut. And We all want BIAL to open as scheduled. The only point we all differ is in HAL airport. If HAL airport is shut, many air fliers suffer and is never a win win situation.
So, it is like this.
- All of us want BIAL to start operations on schedule.
- Many frequent fliers want HAL airport to continue due to various factors including proximity to city centre, limitations of BIAL due to underestimated traffic and yet to come up road connectivity. Like it or not.
-The 150km no-airport policy is done away with in the new aviation policy framed recently. Only Bangalore and Hyderabad airports are stuck by this outdated old policy. Hence, it is best left to courts to interpret more on validity of the agreement under present circumstances.
Cheers
Rakesh.
Rakesh ..... I admire your clarity and conciseness
Thanks Rakesh.
For putting across so clearly what I have been trying to say.
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Regards
Devesh
Bangalore Aviation
Enjoy life, destroy FUD
Cheers - Praja's voices are heard in Corporate Corridors !
Guys,
We should rejoice that MS. Kiran's response reveals that Praja voices are heard in corporate corridors also. This is not a ordinary feat. Imagine industry captains giving heed to your words and sentences.
Messengers, we really appreciates your work.
Guys, cheerup. This is the begining. We have miles to go.......
Syed
Full text of CA
Do you have the link to the full text of the CA?
CA Full text
-Shastri
dhanyavadagalu
Objective analysis of Pro-HAL Campaign !
Friends,
Enough has been said from both sides of the fence. Let me try to decipher a different perspective to this "Pro-HAL Campaign". If you carefully read all the news, discussions, praja postings and rebuttals to its (Pro-HAL campaign) opposition, you would see subtle messages and directions. Also there are very clear things that the campaigners have conveyed without saying anything. Some of them are:
1. They have made BIAL the firing target, but cautiously avoiding the Indian stake holders.
2. There are brickbats for BIAL, flower bouquets for L&T.
3. Nothing against AAI, even after their colossal bunglings
4. Even the PIL seems to be filed against BIAL, even though it should have been against MoCA with BIAL as the respondent.
5. They are conspicously silence on the role of MoCA is playing (is rather not playing). I am yet to see a finger pointed at MoCA for their failure on various fronts, except for a letter that was written to Praful Patel. This letter is on Praja forums.
6. Nothing against GOK, BBMP and local authorities.
This stand is not difficult to understand. Such a stand is basically because most of them run businesses and companies. Therefore it is not wise to rub the powers, specially government departments on wrong side. You can not have the confrontation with government on one side and requesting for growth firendly sops of industries and buisness on other side. It makes absolute sense not to have a even remotest possibility of conflict with government powers specially the bureaucracy.
You can't survive in the pond being enemy of the crocodile.
It is quite understandable for such a position. Even I would not advise them to take government agencies head on. They have their business, employees and investments to take care of. There could be other avenues for their support to causes like Praja.
Therefore please do not expect them to back you on things which could upset their relationship with the government and Babus. I am not saying this in a negative way, but this is a fact. We should understand it and should not push these guys too far. We will get oppurtunities to get their support. Don't push them aside. Let's figure out how much far they can go with us.
As Devesh has said in one of the post, Industry Chambers works with the government to get things resolved. Expecting them to go against the government would be a stupidity from our side.
Also there could be another angle to this steep opposition to BIAL. May be BIAL is seen as only Mr. Brunner and his team excluding L&T and other state stake holders. May be Mr. Brunner might not have shown the required Indian grace and gesture to local business community. Also there are indications of business loss due to the HAL shutdown, without any business oppurtunity at BIAL.
If you read posts from Shaw, Devesh, Ravichander, RKM, it becomes clear that there are attempts being made since one year in reaching out to Mr. Brunner. It seems BIAL has not shown any flexibility or eagerness to proposals from business community. Otherwise, how could you see no such allegations/charges towards GMR at RGIA/DIAL. It seems Mr. Brunner has rubbed the shoulders of our friends on the wrong side.
In any case there seems to be reasons for this staunch "Pro-HAL" campaign. We don't have to agree to their reasoning, but we could agree to disgaree with them.
What all this means is, Praja needs to put up their own fight without expecting any help/support from other quarters. If it comes it should be a real miracle. And miracles don't really happen on daily basis.
In the end, I will wish them all the best for their "Pro-HAL" campaign. You never know, we might one day will use HAL airport for our travel needs. All the best guys.
Regards,
Syed
Dear Devesh, Sure and
Dear Devesh, Sure and you are welcome. Let me also appreciate you on the hard work you have done to understand the BIAL infrstructure and its limitations ( given the non-transparent stand of BIAL) over these years and the reports on your blogs. Great work and do keep it up;It makes very interesting reading for common man like me and I have got better insights from your blogs than anywhere else.
I only hope all efforts result in positive actions that help the air travelling prajas of namma Bengaluru and our country.
Rakesh.
Dear Syed, When
Dear Syed,
When somebody says anything about BIAL, it is meant to all the stake holders i.e. Siemens consortium, AAI and KSIIDC. When something good occurs for BIAL, all these stakeholders feel happy and jump to take the credit..right? Similarly when some cribb comes against BIAL, why are these stakeholders reluctant to take responsibility?
For instance, poor road connectivity everybody is trying to blame state government alone. May be true to a large extent as government processes are notoriously slow, everybody knows. Was there any co-ordination between BIAL stakeholders worth mentioning? There could have been professional project committees, monitoring commitees etc.. between the BIAL stakeholders to push the government to execute road/rail connectivity etc. by now. Why it didnot happen? Instead of blaming each other, I would have been happier if BIAL starts taking responsibility for its mistakes along with credits for its achievements.
As for pro-HAL , please be aware the drive is mainly from air travellers side and many of the business/industry captains happen to be frequent fliers thereby extending their full support. Please note that many people residing in other cities of India who make frequent visits to Bangalore for business also are supporting HAL airport. So, When I say Bangalore air travellers it means those from Bangalore as well as from rest of India irrespective of their professions whether business, doctors, engineers, lawyers, judges, officials, ministers, contractors and so forth.
Rakesh.
Service standards
Please read it carefully. "Under BIAL's direct control". Everything at BIAL is outsourced. Runway capacity is not under BIAL's "direct" control. If permission is not granted then it absolves BIAL from everything.
Second see the time frame. It is 9 years +. 3 years initial + 3 x 1 year surveys + 1 year correction + 2 years liquidated damages.
BIAL will be over capacity within 2~3 years. What about the balance 6 ?
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Regards
Devesh
Bangalore Aviation
Enjoy life, destroy FUD
awesome.
Syed ..... analysis of Pro HAL campaign
Dear Syed,
Thanks for the analysis.
A couple of corrections though.
BIAL in the minds of the public (courtesy good PR) is the foreign company, state and union governments are external.
Reality - BIAL = Siemens 40% + L&T 17% + Unique Zurich 17% + AAI (GoI) 13% + KSIIDC (GoK) 13%.
The Governments both Union and State, are a PART OF BIAL. How can BIAL blame its own shareholder, from arms length, for not performing their responsibility ? It is like Reliance separating itself from Mukesh or Anil Ambani for some major breach. I do not believe anyone in Praja will accept it. The Chief Secretary is on the Board of Directors of BIAL. Is BIAL expecting us to believe that the senior most bureaucrat was unaware of BIA progress and connectivity progress ?
Read my article http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com/2008/05/history-of-passenger-terminal-at-bial.html.
I am proud to know Albert Brunner and I consider him a friend. Though we are on opposite sides on HAL, I have no personal animosity against him, and we always exchange pleasantries whenever we meet. He and his team are the face of BIAL and they have done an admirable job on PR. Yes, they have stonewalled on many issues, but then, we must realise, they are employees of BIAL, and must follow corporate directives.
It is the promoters and the Board who take the decisions and provide the corporate directives.
You are right that many efforts have been made behind the scenes to "reach out" to the promoters, including trying to use highest levels in Germany, but these failed. We have not given up hope yet.
The BCCF PIL named BIAL, MoCA, AAI, KSIIDC, and HAL as respondents. What astonished us, was that the first 4 got up and vigourously defended BIAL, instead of telling the court about their concerns on capacity. HAL just stood in court like a mute spectator, even when BIAL in written submissions, flung mud and cast aspertions on HAL, their response was along the lines .... "we are a GoI company. This is a policy decision. We will abide by whatever decision GoI makes".... There is a rift in AAI and HAL between the operational employees and the management on this issue.
Along with other industry captains I joined the state high level task force on connectivity. We had 4 or 5 meetings, before the TF was disbanded. We have tried all approaches, soft, cajoling, begging, pleading, cautioning, loud, threatening, even straight gaalee. So much so, that Presidents and Past Presidents of various Chambers were "advised" by the powers, to "hold back" Devesh Agarwal.
The only agency that took on responsibility was BBMP. Dr. Subramanya really approached the problems with some degree of innovation. We all keep cursing the "Magic Boxes", but if you think about it, given the time restrictions, what else could be done.
Very frankly, it is the HDK government that should shoulder the blame for the lapse.
Even now, I make an open request. The central road to BIA (via Raj Bhavan) is indequate. It is critical that the Police take immediate action to enforce discipline on ORR. That is the only relief road, not just for airport users, but many Bangaloreans. Praja leaders should take IMMEDIATE action and make representations to Mr. Praveen Sood.
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Regards
Devesh
Bangalore Aviation
Enjoy life, destroy FUD
IATA Global Airport Monitor Standards
The IATA parameters based on which BIAL will be evaluated is listed below as taken from the CA.
IATA Global Airport Monitor Standards
The following criteria shall be measured on an annual basis in accordance with Article 9. The
surveys shall be scored in accordance with the IATA Global Airport Monitor scoring mechanism
(i.e. on a scale of one to five, where one is very poor and five is excellent):
(i) Ease of finding your way;
(ii) Flight information screen;
(iii) Availability of connections to the same continent;
(iv) Availability of connections to another continent;
(v) Ease of making connections;
(vi) Availability of baggage carts;
(vii) Courtesy of airport staff;
(viii) Restaurant and eating facilities;
(ix) Shopping facilities
(x) Washrooms;
(xi) Passport inspection;
(xii) Customs inspection;
(xiii) Waiting areas/lounges;
(xiv) Baggage delivery service;
(xv) Ground transportation to/from city;
(xvi) Parking facilities;
(xvii) Sense of security; and
(xviii) Ambience of airport.
We can debate further on this to arrive at a list which will point to the once which are under "BIAL's direct control".
With regards to your query of BIAL being over-capacity in 2-3 years then will that not effectively mean that from the year the survey starts, BIAL will be under pressure to show better ratings in the face of difficulties!
performance agreement and brunner
I dont think eniugh credit is being given to the perforamnce agreement.
Even in this aspect i am seeing lot of if , buts and general ghosts and fogs.
I think it is a better way to understand the contract.and if you forcibily remove the demons in the mind of BAIL being the empire on the prowl , to eat up a poor 3rd world country..then we might get somewhere.
I for one cannot see and a L&T , a zurich, a seimens, trying to make a killng from one little airport , when at stake is actually a phenomenal inroad or consolidation into india.
And last heard India was perhaps the most happening place for investments in the globe.
I also would like to go up and meet Brunner , with some non anti BIAL Praja members, after the airport opens.
I have a funny feeling we will get a different reception and openess, since we wont be carrying some howitzers along with us.
somewhere else on praja, I read that we are not really going after the perpetual culprits in such situations ..our own governments , government agencies etc.Absolutely true...all the more reason for groups like Praja to take a forward position , because very rightly as was mentioned, the corporate world will just not take up a real fight with the actual culprits.they have to look at their own survival .Their role in the civic space has always been nebulous and possibly their contribution lies elsewhere.
Answers are in my post !
Rakesh,
Answers to all your questions are in my post. Pls do read it carefully.
Just show me one post/letter/discussion in which the Pro-HAL campaign talks about bunglings by AAI. There are reasons for it and my post talk about it. Pls do read my post once again.
Praja has brought that up on front pages. Praja have done that. There are RTI petitions filed with AAI on all apsects of BIAL, RGIA and HAL airport. Next round of action items are waiting for the replies.
From Praja side, there are discussion with BBMP on decongesting the roads in city, not just AIRPORT road.
There are discussion coming up with BMTC for implementing BRTS model in B'lore.
From Praja side, we take BIAL as one entity and BIAL as one package. If you are not convinced pls go dig out old postings and see it for your self.
Praja, treats BANGALORE as the one city and abode to different shades of the society, Poor, Rich, Professionals, Business, CEOs, daily wage earners etc.
Syed
Applaud!
User Interaction Designer
Bangalore
Menon - who is anti BIAL ?
quote//I also would like to go up and meet Brunner , with some non anti BIAL Praja members, after the airport opens.//quote
Dear Menon,
Please tell me, in your opinion, who on Praja is anti-BIAL ? This is turning in to a "Either you are for us or you are against us" situation. Just because some of us are for keeping HAL open, does not make us Anti-BIAL.
If you want to label us "Pro-HAL", that is fine, but calling us "Anti BIAL" is outright wrong.
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Regards
Devesh
Bangalore Aviation
Enjoy life, destroy FUD
Bunglings by AAI
Syed, AAI bunglings at HAL or BIA ?
In HAL, AAI controls the terminal, and I think many people have complained. The role of MoCA which is the parent of AAI, has not been spared either.
In BIA, AAI is part of the BIAL consortium, it is not a separate entity, but the BIAL management conveniently distances itself from AAI, when problems with overall Air Traffic Management (ATM) come up.
-----------------------
Regards
Devesh R. Agarwal
Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com
Regards
Devesh
Bangalore Aviation
Enjoy life, destroy FUD
Closing for comments.
We sure have discussed this one enough as well. Majority of members have concluded that its not a simple HAL vs BIAL discussion. There are several things interlinked here - connectivity, UDF, monopoly, expansion etc. Let us not mix it all that up in these threads as we seem to be doing. Members are encouraged to created smaller issue based threads. Exmaple: Photoyogi on Bellary Road improvements.