Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Resolve crisis

The editorial "Will it get off the ground?" (Feb. 2) is right in saying the obstacles in the way of the well-intentioned airport modernisation project are unfortunate. The panic reaction of the employees of the Airports Authority of India could have been averted if the Government had addressed their fears first. A deft handling of the situation is needed to resolve the standoff.

K.S. Thampi,
Chennai

* * *

This is with reference to the privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports and the ongoing strike. India cannot run away from the challenge of making its airports modern and meeting international standards. The present condition of our airports is far from satisfactory. The bold decision to hand them over to the private sector deserves praise. It is not just a question of providing proper facilities to a few who travel to Delhi and Mumbai. It is a matter of giving a good picture of the country to foreigners.

Ramesh Kumar Raja,
New Delhi

* * *

While the anger of the employees is understandable, nationwide strike or halt of air services is not the solution.

Bhabanee Shankar Patel,
Dhenkanal, Orissa

* * *

The Government is duty-bound to take the employees into confidence and allay all their fears on modernisation and privatisation instead of taking a confrontationist stand.

B.R. Kumar,
Chennai

* * *

The trade unions, instead of becoming a roadblock at every step of economic progress, should change with the times.

Leo Rex,
Bangalore

* * *

It would seem that the employees are afraid of getting accustomed to the private sector work culture, and the reduced importance of unions in future. The Government should go ahead with privatisation, keeping growth and global changes in mind.

I.S. Ponnambalam,
Bangalore

* * *

The AAI has failed to provide us with world class airports. On maintenance, the less said the better. Staff assistance, condition of amenities, and baggage handling all leave a lot to be desired.

Millions who pay for using the airports, and not the AAI staff, should matter more to the Government.

V. Govindarajan,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

* * *

True, it is the democratic right of employees to protest and to go on strike. But what about the rights of the paying passengers? Are they not entitled to clean toilets at least?

Ashok Viswanath,
Chennai

* * *

When the AAI was earning profits, a portion could have been retained for development and modernisation. Selling partial stakes to private owners was not the only option. For offering better services and facilities, the private companies may hike the charges, which again the passengers will have to bear.

Hitesh Jhangiani,
New Delhi

* * *

When the AAI has sufficient financial resources and adequate manpower, what is the need to allow private players? The Government seems to be pandering to the wishes of multinationals rather than the poor labour who voted for it.

R. Ramakrishnan,
Madurai, T.N.

* * *

Trade unionisation has been both a blessing and a threat to the economy. Many positive breakthroughs have been achieved by positive unionism in the past. But in the airport issue, it is having the opposite impact. A threat to halt work is not only unwarranted but also regressive. Modernisation of airports is overdue; the Government should not back off, come what may.

Salil Gewali,
Shillong

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