According to data available with DNA, maintenance work at the airport in this period of time has cost around Rs1.61 crore, while around Rs2.3 crore has been spent of beautifying the airport premises since 1997.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in the city has gulped down nearly Rs3.88 crore over the last 12 years, on work related to its beautification and maintenance.
According to data available with DNA, maintenance work at the airport in this period of time has cost around Rs1.61 crore, while around Rs2.3 crore has been spent of beautifying the airport premises since 1997.
The aforementioned works are the responsibility of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), resulting in the Airport Authorities of India not having to spend on these works. RIL has been given a contract for the maintenance and beautification of the airport, in lieu of which it has erected its advertisements in the vicinity.
A source said that RC Chitkara, regional director (west zone), AAI, and RIL official Pinakin Dixit met around a couple of months ago, most probably in connection with the renewal of the contract for the maintenance and beautification of the airport. The contract, which RIL signed in 1995-96, will come to an end soon.
According to the data with DNA, the contract covers the beautification of a three-km area of the city and airport. Till date, RIL has planted more than 62,000 shrubs, 950 trees, 1,430 bamboo trees, and 350 indoor and outdoor plants, among others.
A highly placed source said that RIL has delivered on its undertaking as the airport premises now have more greenery that ever before. However, other sources said that there are still some issues to be addressed with regard to the aforementioned work.
“The beautification of the area around the international terminal is reasonably good, but that around the domestic terminal is still bad. In addition to the greenery, there is a need to keep the terminal clean as plastic bags lying around and dust create a nuisance for the passengers,” an airport official said.
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