And finally work on the proposed engineering base of Air India at Chakka is all set to take off.Salem-based Mukesh and Associates, which is the consultant of the project, has invited tenders for the construction of the hangars and allied works at an estimated cost of Rs 39 crore. The expected completion period of the work is 10 months. The State Government had handed over 15 acres of land adjacent to the airport, near Chakka, to Air India free of cost in September 2006 and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation-stone for the project on November 1 the same year. But Air India got actual possession of the land only a couple of weeks ago.It was the delay in evicting the Trivandrum Rubber Works (TRW) from the land allotted to Air India, which caused the impasse. The Government had distributed compensation to employees of TRW a couple of weeks ago, following which the firm, defunct over the last many years, moved out of the land.A Government quarters and the labour camp of the Punj Lloyd located on the 15 acres allotted to Air India were evicted earlier.The last date for submitting the tender is January 23 and the tenders would be opened on the same day. Air India authorities had earlier claimed that the project would be completed within 18 months once they get possession of the land.The project would give a prominent place for the state capital in the aviation map of the country.The engineering base is being set up primarily to service Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which are being operated by Air India Express. Air India Express presently operates around 60 flights out of Kerala to various destinations in the Gulf. It has a fleet of seven aircraft and is planning to induct nearly 18 brand new 737-800 Boeing aircraft.Air India is also planning to induct 50 other new aircraft. Some of the line maintenance checks on these aircraft will be carried out at the proposed maintenance base here.
Source: Newindiapress.com
27th December, 2007