Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, Nov 21: A group of like-minded organisations has raised objection over the name ‘Adani Airports’ at the entrance and exit points of Mangaluru International Airport. They said that the name has created a lot of confusion among public.
Addressing media here on Saturday November 21, Dilraj Alva said, “As soon as the airport was handed over to Adani Group, the name ‘Adani Airports’ was put up. When you notice the name board, Adani Group is projecting as the airport is under their control. The name Adani Airports at the entrance and exit points creates a lot of confusion among public as even the public feels that the airport is indeed under Adani Group’s control now.
“Adani Group have mentioned their name in big letters along with Mangaluru International Airport. ‘Adani Airports’ is put in big bold fonts which is a clear violation. Whenever the tender is given to any group, the company’s name should be in small fonts compared to the name of the airport. In Mangaluru International Airport board, the public’s focus moves to ‘Adani Airports’ name which has led to confusion. We do not have any objection on Adani logo, but here, they have put it in such a manner which looks like the airport is under their control which we strongly object.
“We also demand to provide jobs to locals. We have heard that steps will be taken to remove locals from the jobs at the airport which we strongly object. At Mangaluru railway station, Malayali speaking people are employed. In future days, there is a possibility that Hindi and Guajarati speaking people might be employed for all the jobs.
“We are not against privatisation of the airport. Since several years, privatisation process has been taken up for the overall development of many areas. In privatisation there are pros and cons, but to gain something, we have to lose something.
“No proper decision has been taken over the renaming of the airport. Names of Koti Chennaya, Rani Abbakka, Narayana Guru and Srinivas Mallya are in line, but unfortunately the renaming issue has gained a political turn. Political parties are trying to gain mileage out of the renaming issue. If at all one needs to respect the achievers of Tulunadu, it is better to name the airport as Tulunadu Airport,” he said.
Regard the shifting of the replica of ‘Pilinalike’ art at the airport, he said, “The public were agitated over shifting of the replica which was replaced with Adani logo, an elephant. The ‘Pilinalike’ art is now been relocated to its original place. I have personally spoken to the PRO of the airport over this issue. Several people raised voice against it after which the issue was resolved.”
Umanath Kotekar and others were present.