Protest Against Closure of HAL Airport

What a joke - if things don't go your way - scream foul. There is a contract - where the heck were you when the contract was written up - where were you when the damn politicians postponed the buiilding of the airport for 15 years. Where was all that energy when it was needed.

 Now you want to score some cheap publicity - now that an airport is finally ready to open - You are ready to go ahead and rip off contracts - So what is the big difference between you and that crummy politician who makes promises that are never fulfilled. Nothing...

In case HAL does close, a few memories will be etched in my mind for sometime.

2) Arrived with a colleague, entered the domestic baggage belt area. They had sprayed the mosquito repellent gas, so much of it, that I couldn't see people standing just about a meter away.

3) Departure time. Waiting for a flight to Chennai, which was announced to be on time. All of a sudden, they announce - 70 minutes delay. I ask for an explanation, none is given. After about 90 minutes, airline staff (Paramount) says, "there was an air force event, these are not announced ahead of time, and we have no control over them". Call it civil-military cooperation!

4) International arrival baggage claim area - baggages hadn't arrived for over 50 minutes. And a quarrel commences, an angry activist passenger threatens a customs officer accusing him to be responsible for the delay. War of words turned overly engaging, and then we came to know that the delay was because the luggage trolley pulling tractor had run into a problem. "Do they have just one of them?", I overheard and was sure that they have more.

5) Was walking towards an Indigo flight, when a dog stood on my path. I thought of registering a complaint, but didn't have time to go back to AAI officer. A few weeks later, I heard the news about a dog hitting that KF flight during take-off.

My only wish is that if our leaders end up keeping HAL open, I be spared more such memorable moments.

BTW, a friend recently teased me, "I heard Bangalore is running over capacity, can we re-open the old capitals Mysore and Hampi?". I could only smile, but held myself back from replying with this, "BBMP doesn't impose a UDF yet, but they soon may (CVS). And then we will ...".

Devesh Sab,

 If I were you, I would have put my energies somewhere where there is benefit to majority and somethings that can be improved and fixed. Instead of exhausting myself on HAL issue, I would take a proactive steps that might help BIAL to expedite the expansion and expansion which meets the requirements - Present and Future. I would spend my energies in getting BIAL to do what they did not do in the first round.

 If my priority is Bangalore and its air travel, I would leave no stone unturned to see that upcoming expansions doesn't get hoodwinked (if any) like the initial phase.

 I would do all in my power to get across to BIAL and its management to incorporate the best and excellent infrastructure for the expansion. If BIAL doesn't listen:

1.      I will get onto nerves of MoCA, GOK, KSIIDC and AAI for doing their bit to get BIAL to do what is needed. RTIs, PILS, people's campaign, pull strings from political friends and foes. Protests, Dharnas and what not?

2.      I will explore and pressurize the Indian stake holders like L&T to force BIAL to do the right thing in expansion. I will not hesitate to convey the message of about future projects in Karnataka and other states. You can use the same tactics as that was used with GE for isolating Bechtel in Enron Project take over. Ambanis did the talking to GE with some plain talking on future business for GE turbines and others machineries India Buys from GE.

 Our efforts for upcoming infrastructure hold the tests of our passions and concerns for Bangalore. 

In the end, as a citizens of India, we all have the right to protest and express our anguish.

Hota hai Raaz-E-Ishq unhein se faash, Ankhen Zaban to nahin magar be-zuban bhi nahin

Syed

I will NOT be there... because I don't agree to some of the things there. Ofcourse, I agree to some of the points like future capacity could be an issue and UDF is a bit on the higher side.

First, public inconvenience is used as a reason. As we have reasoned in the past, its going to be inconvenient for public if HAL is kept open in the long run. Are we going to guarantee that all destinations covered by HAL (if kept open) would be covered by BIAL too?

I do agree that people have a right to protest. But I definitely do not agree to this protest. If this hue and cry about the connectivity to the airport has been raised about a year or 2 ago we would not have been in this situation. I agree that a 2 airport model would be fine for bangalore. But HAL is definitely not a good option for a second airport. The problem with HAL is the location. Reaching HAL is a pain. And I don't see how this can be improved. Atleast with BIAL work is going on regarding the connectivity(although very slowly) and there is scope for connectivity improvement with BIAL. HAL airport is a shame on Bangalore. Right from the entry of the airport to the gates, the experience is pathetic.

1. People don't complain of travelling close to 2 hours each day from ITPL to Jayanagar areas(in each direction), when they can complain of travelling to BIAL once in a while (atleast for most people).
2. IT cos can complain of 'connectivity' to BIAL, when outside their own company backyard, there are bad roads that their own employees have to put up with everyday (check the road leading directly to navigator building outside ITPL) !!
3. We can file RTI's/PIL's against BIAL, but not against bad roads (BDA, BMRDA.....the list is endless)

 I think it is foul play by BIAL to have preponed the shutting of HAL and opening date of BIAL to May 23 when the Karnataka High court is in vacation. Everybody knows PIL have been filed with high /supreme court for HAL airport continuation and pending case.

Civil aviation ministry re-negotiation with BIAL on May 12th looked more like a comedy show than a meeting. To me it looked like the government officials acted like good obedient "yes sir" men for BIAL. Did anybody from MoCA remember about public interest in retaining HAL airport? I doubt so.

Rakesh.

May be I dont understand the exact definition of jargons "approach", "separation" and "runway". But at San Francisco airport (SFO), I have often seen two planes land at two parallel "runways" (see map below) almost at the same time (you can see the other plane landing with you - the two literally land together). And these two 'runways' are about 250 m apart.

Hi,

Everybody knew that congress does not want airport to be opened before's Blore's poll date. Now Bangalore accounts for around 30 seats & they dont want  to get wrath of people. ( I doubt how many so called educated people voted in this election,this is a separate issue)

 Why existing airport has to be kept for benifit of few?  Where these people have gone when agreement was signed. Why didnt NRN speak when he was BIAL chairman. Why Bangaloreans to be deprived of good airport when Hyderabad is having new airport.

Need of hour get all magic boxes in place ASAP. 

Widen road along palace ground 

Rgds

Nag

 No body here is raving about BIAL being world class or state of the art. 3 years time also is not being touted as a world record time or so. if any credit is given is only in comparison with works that government agencies do and the time it takes. The credit given is same level as that being given to L&T for trumpet.

In 36 montsh or so a infrastructure is ready for use. Might not be a world class. Unless you and other aviation experts tells us that BIAL is still not functionally ready for use or start on May 23rd. If it is so, you have my vote for delay in BIAL start.

 You have listed many important aspects that needs to be completed at BIAL. Now there is more the reason for fighting/puuting efforts to ensure that BIAL take up all the unfinished works and also start building the 2nd phase of the airport.

 My worry is, in this HAL airport issue, we are sidelining the need for efforts/fight for BIAL to deliver what is promised in the master plans.

Devesh, I am a very optimistic person.  But lately on BIAL's saga, I am having the apprehension that BIAL might meet the same fete as "C-DOT". Public sector (ITI) individual interests in collision with private corporate made sure that C-DOT doesn't remain on the telecom horizon. In the end we know where both C-DOT and ITI are.

That reminds  me of a couplet in Urdu

 "HUM IDHAR KE RAHE NA UDHAR KE, NA SANAM MILE NA SANAM KADE"

(Neither we get here nor there, Neither we get our beloved nor the temple) 

Regards,

Syed

 Dear CNkumar, 

Please be aware that the traffic projections made by BIAL for Bangalore at the time of agreement was way below than what is today in reality. Considering the huge increase in traffic than estimated and only single runway for BIAL, a second airport is must for smooth operations during peak hours. Hyderabad maynot need a second airport for its traffic but Bangalore definitely does need now consdering the huge growth in  passenger traffic.

And if HAL is closed, what is the guarantee it will remain an airport? HAL airport is in prime land of airport road/Murugeshpalya and many real estate guys are already eyeing the location for shopping malls. Isnot it a waste of national resources to shut down a working airport and convert to shopping mall when everybody knows that BIAL capacity cannot handle additional flights? 

I request people to be realistic and consider the convenience of air travellers first and before everything else. To be frank, I dont like the way BIAL is handling the situation at gunpoint ordering government, courts and people by charging fancy UDF and to shut down HAL airport for a factory shed like airport called BIAL. . Either we go down in history as a sham banana democratric country like those in Africa or a nation with people having spine to speak out their needs.

We need to understand first whether BIAL is here to help us to cmplement and augment our air traffic needs or whether we have to obey dictates of BIAL in future.

Rakesh.

Dear Rakesh, When you say

I request people to be realistic and consider the convenience of air travellers first and before everything else.

I would like to ask you, why ? What is the percentage of the population who use air as a means of transport. Frankly speaking, I dont know. But would be surprised if it is more than 3-4 %. So why should be the convenience of a few people considered first.

To be frank, I dont like the way BIAL is handling the situation at gunpoint ordering government, courts and people by charging fancy UDF and to shut down HAL airport for a factory shed like airport called BIAL. . Either we go down in history as a sham banana democratric country like those in Africa or a nation with people having spine to speak out their needs.

They are not pointing a gun. They have an agreement done with the government and they just want it to be honoured. Do not blame BIAL for the goof-ups that government and babus have done to you. Just because BIAL has come from a private company (not entirely though, there are other stakeholders aswell) you are pointing fingers. What if it was constructed by our own govt/AAI, would you be so vociferous.

PS: BTW, I dont work for BIAL

Being in South Blore (ares like BSK II/III stage/ Srinagar/ Giri Nagar/ Jaya Nagar 8th Block/ South end/ Padmanabha Nagar ..) , have only 2 approach roads, take BTM ring Road --> K Mangala Ring Road or Use Minerva/Double Road --> Residency Road --> Airport Road (second option is lil better..)

 It may be slightly off the topic. If you had experinace in buying independent house in upmarket BDA areas like Indira nagar/ HAL II stage / K mangala, earlier brokers use to tell "Illinda airport 10 minutes, 15 minutues.. etc" . This being one of reason why this area was expensive compared eqally good BDA layouts. Once BIAL opens, this selling tactic cant be used.  Same holds good for  people who purchased property by paying crores of Rs & it does not appreciate further  or high chances it may goes down further.  This is a good chance for residents of this area to fight to keep HAL airport open.

This is similar to one famous politician (x-Chairmain of Ktk Women commision) who is  fighting against metro track coming on CMH Road. The reason is being that person construcuted a house few years back on CMH rd which worth crores of Rs.

Note: I does not own any property on NH7 or North Blore.