The development of Pune airport (and indeed that of some of the other airports) has actually SUFFERED after Praful Patel started interfering with the AAI. Managers incharge are under pressure to award all contracts for airport construction only to NCP supporters: especially in Maharashtra. Patel is a minister without any base, and even within the NCP he is seen as an interloper. Patel is trying to build his base using these contracts and that is affecting the whole process of transformation.

Speaking specifically of Pune: Why has the airport terminal project been so delayed? especially becoz the airport authorities, led by a certain no-nonsense man called Shastri, had been very pro-active and the airforce has been especially co-operative? look deeper and you will know the answers! And i dont think anyone is going to be a Pee pee fan once the mask has come off!

There is another reason for the go-slow on Pune. A new airport is being considered: 50 kms away from Pune in faraway Chakan! Almost halfway between Pune and Nashik! The original idea of shifting hte IAF from Lohegaon to the little used deolali airbase and handing over Lohegaon for civilians. Again the new airport at Chakan gives a lot more potential to our politicians to make some money!

Overall this is his record: Praful Patel has not shown the ability to rise to the occassion and do what his position allows him to do. He could if he wanted have unshackled Civil Aviation from the shackles of Ministerial regulation. Remember what Dayanidhi Maran did to telecom? Instead Pee pee sees his ministerial post as an opportunity to help his chum VJM and secure himself and his cronies financially.

His biggest disqualification is his friendship/relationship with VJM and Boeings Dinesh Keskar, which are clearly affecting his judgements and actions as minister more than any other factor: a point that we have REPEATEDLY stressing to various politicians we have been meeting.

We are concerned at the development in Civil Aviation. We are not seeing just what is there, but what CAN BE! We want a updated policy for Freight Operations. We want a special policy for Regional operations. We want to see Regulatroy powers in civil Aviation to be transferred from the ministry to a regulatory authority on the lines of what exists in Telecom and other markets: if anything Praful Patel's irresponsible mollycoddling of VJM has only reaffirmed the need to have this regulatory authority.

And for this Praful Patel must go!! There are other people who can rise tothe occassion and deliver the goods required. For Praful Patel, and others like him: the only way is OUT!