Surat air connectivity issue has hit yet another political rough weather.
While the BJP blames Congress for not showing interest in solving the air connectivity issue for the diamond city, Congress leaders have alleged that BJP is creating a drama over the issue. Union minister Tushar Chaudhary and BJP MP CR Patil are up against each other on the matter.
To provide better air connectivity to Surat, BJP held a successful ‘plane roko andolan’ on Thursday. Apart from diamond and textile sectors, the event garnered support from over 250 organisations in the city. However, the Union minister for highways and transport termed the entire thing as political gimmickry.
“BJP is just showing people dreams and nothing else. How can BJP promise air-connectivity, when it does not have any plans for it? Air-connectivity is impossible till airline companies give any assurance to civil aviation ministry,” said Chaudhary. He blamed Patil, BJP MP from Navsari, for the entire mess and said that he has forgotten the dignity of a member of parliament.
In reply to Chaudhry’s words, BJP launched a counter-attack on Congress, blaming it for poor situation at Surat airport. BJP asked Chaudhry to work for increasing air-traffic at the airport rather than addressing press conferences. Party leaders also claimed that getting air-connectivity is difficult as Surat airport lacks basic facilities.
“There is no facility for night landing at Surat airport and the runway is not suitable for big planes. It is the Union government’s responsibility to provide air-connectivity but why isn’t it doing anything for Surat?” asked Patil at a press conference in the city. He further said that Chaudhary, being a Union minister in the concerned portfolio has failed to improve air-connectivity to Surat.
Source : Daily News & Analysis