THIRUVANATHAPURAM, Oct 25: THE Centre for Development Studies (CDS) has recommended setting up of an Indian Migration Management Authority (IMMA) by doing away with the existing system for overseas recruitment process.
The study, conducted by the CDS into the existing practices in overseas recruitment, pointed out that the existing system of granting emigration clearance involved massive irregularities and also did not ensure protection of emigrants. The study suggested that emigrants, who leave the country for employment be issued Indian Citizen Employed Overseas (ICEO) smart card containing basic information regarding the emigrant.
"The belief that somebody who emigrates with proper documents will be safe and protected during their expatriate life has not been proved correct. The exercise of ensuring genuineness through documentary evidence is undermined not only by the absence of mechanism to check the veracity of documents but also by the nexus between corrupt recruiting agencies and government officials," says the study, which was funded by the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry and International Labour Organisation. The study was conducted by S Irudaya Rajan, V J Varghese and M S Jayakumar of the CDS. The findings of the study may form part of the new Emigration Act being drafted by the Centre, said sources.
Throwing light on the massive irregularities in the existing emigration system, the study says that the unholy nexus between the recruiting agents and offices of the Protectors of Emigrants had resulted in the exploitation of emigrants, especially those belong to the weaker sections of society. Based on the feedback from recruiting agents and emigrants, the study points out that bribes ranging from Rs 300 to Rs 5,000 is involved in granting emigration clearance.
The agents also collude with officials of the airport emigration wing for illegal transit of migrants who do not have proper documents, which is popularly known as 'pushing'. Certain 'ghost' companies which exist abroad only on paper issue the 'documents' to pave way for illegal migration, the study says.
"The credibility of the overseas recruitment system in the country as a whole is at stake. The institutional failure, which is the cause of this, cannot be rectified by cosmetic changes but calls for a comprehensive reform," says the study.
The proposed IMMA should administer all aspects of migration through flawless coordination among various departments and agencies concerned and should have presence in foreign countries also. The responsibility of issuing ICEO smart cards should be vested with the IMMA. All documents from foreign countries should be channelised through IMMA and should also be made available online through bilateral talks, the CDS study suggested.
Sunday, 24 October 2010
Wednesday, 20 October 2010
Airport director to be axed
Oct. 19
Amidst the uncertainty over the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport, a move is on to shift Airport Director V.N.Chandran from the post.
Sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that there is strong lobbying from various quarters to shift Chandran from the post. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken soon.
Director of the Karipur International Airport G.Chandramouli is being considered as the new director of Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
V.N.Chandran however reserved his comments on the matter.
Chandran who had taken over as the Thiruvananthapuram Airport director hardly an year ago had initiated stern measures against various irregularities going on at the airport terminal. Such measures had invited enemies to Chandran, sources at the Airport said.
The Airport director was also under stiff pressure from the AAI to commission the new terminal. However, there has been a lack of cooperation from certain agencies that was delaying the commissioning of the airport. The Air India which was responsible for arranging the ground handling facilities was yet to complete the works.
Commissioning to be delayed further : Meanwhile, a meeting of AAI officials and Air India officials held here on Tuesday has decided to go for commissioning of the terminal only after setting up the ground handling and cargo handling facilities. AAI Regional Executive Director Devarajan and Air India Regional Director Sunil Kishen attended the meeting.
Airport Director had earlier issued a circular to the airlines and other agencies concerned that the new terminal would be commissioned by October 20.
ends.
Amidst the uncertainty over the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport, a move is on to shift Airport Director V.N.Chandran from the post.
Sources in the Airports Authority of India (AAI) said that there is strong lobbying from various quarters to shift Chandran from the post. A decision in this regard is likely to be taken soon.
Director of the Karipur International Airport G.Chandramouli is being considered as the new director of Thiruvananthapuram Airport.
V.N.Chandran however reserved his comments on the matter.
Chandran who had taken over as the Thiruvananthapuram Airport director hardly an year ago had initiated stern measures against various irregularities going on at the airport terminal. Such measures had invited enemies to Chandran, sources at the Airport said.
The Airport director was also under stiff pressure from the AAI to commission the new terminal. However, there has been a lack of cooperation from certain agencies that was delaying the commissioning of the airport. The Air India which was responsible for arranging the ground handling facilities was yet to complete the works.
Commissioning to be delayed further : Meanwhile, a meeting of AAI officials and Air India officials held here on Tuesday has decided to go for commissioning of the terminal only after setting up the ground handling and cargo handling facilities. AAI Regional Executive Director Devarajan and Air India Regional Director Sunil Kishen attended the meeting.
Airport Director had earlier issued a circular to the airlines and other agencies concerned that the new terminal would be commissioned by October 20.
ends.
Blame game over terminal commissioning
Oct. 11
The commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapruam Interntaional airport is running into rough weather as the airlines have expressed their unwillingness to shift their opertaions to the new terminal.
The Airline Operators' Commiittee (AOC) of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport has given in writing to Airport Director the other day raising serious concerns over the delay in setting up the basic facilitiers, especially ground handling services and cargo handling.
“We have made it clear that it would be nearly impossible to operate from the new terminal until the basis opertaional requirements are provided. The ground handling facilities are yet to be made ready at the new terminal. Same is the issue with cargo handling,” AOC chairman Mathew George told Express.
Meanwhile, sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry told Express that AAI Chairman V.P.Aggarwal had written to Air India Chairman Arvind Javed directing that the ground handling services and other facilities of Air India be set up at the new teriminal without delay.
Air India which is the ground handling agency at the airport however puts the blame on the Airports Authority of India (AAI). “We are prepared to provide ground handling services provided the basis infrastructure faclities are in place. Since the international and domestic terminals would be on two sides of the runway once the new termional becomes operataional, the movement between the two terminals would be very crucial. For this, the perimetere road should have sufficient width,” said an Air India official on the condition of anonymity.
Air India Thiruvananthapuram station manager K.D.Sivanath was not available for giving his comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, Kerala State Industriual Enterprises, which is in charge of the cargo handling at the airport said that, they had received land for setting up a temporary cargo facility for the new terminal only a couple of days back. “The civil works for the temporary facility has been awarded to the Steel Industries Kerala Limited. We hope to complete the works in another 15-20 days,” said KSIE Managing Director Josemon.
The exporters in Thiruvananthapuram are also concered over commissioning of the airport at this stage. “ Cargo movement comprise half of the operataions from the airport. Hence, commissioning the airport with out a proper facility for cargo handling would be like having a handicapped baby, “ Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters Association secretary Dil Koshy said.
There is a serious lapse on the part of the State Government and KSIE is setting up the facilities in time. Having a temporary facility for cargo movement is not desirable, he said adding that it would be better that the AAI takes over the cargo operations.
Amidst all these confusions, AAI is optimistic that the terminal could be commissioned during this month itself, provided all the agencies concerned cooperate.
Ends.
The commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapruam Interntaional airport is running into rough weather as the airlines have expressed their unwillingness to shift their opertaions to the new terminal.
The Airline Operators' Commiittee (AOC) of the Thiruvananthapuram Airport has given in writing to Airport Director the other day raising serious concerns over the delay in setting up the basic facilitiers, especially ground handling services and cargo handling.
“We have made it clear that it would be nearly impossible to operate from the new terminal until the basis opertaional requirements are provided. The ground handling facilities are yet to be made ready at the new terminal. Same is the issue with cargo handling,” AOC chairman Mathew George told Express.
Meanwhile, sources in the Civil Aviation Ministry told Express that AAI Chairman V.P.Aggarwal had written to Air India Chairman Arvind Javed directing that the ground handling services and other facilities of Air India be set up at the new teriminal without delay.
Air India which is the ground handling agency at the airport however puts the blame on the Airports Authority of India (AAI). “We are prepared to provide ground handling services provided the basis infrastructure faclities are in place. Since the international and domestic terminals would be on two sides of the runway once the new termional becomes operataional, the movement between the two terminals would be very crucial. For this, the perimetere road should have sufficient width,” said an Air India official on the condition of anonymity.
Air India Thiruvananthapuram station manager K.D.Sivanath was not available for giving his comment on the issue.
Meanwhile, Kerala State Industriual Enterprises, which is in charge of the cargo handling at the airport said that, they had received land for setting up a temporary cargo facility for the new terminal only a couple of days back. “The civil works for the temporary facility has been awarded to the Steel Industries Kerala Limited. We hope to complete the works in another 15-20 days,” said KSIE Managing Director Josemon.
The exporters in Thiruvananthapuram are also concered over commissioning of the airport at this stage. “ Cargo movement comprise half of the operataions from the airport. Hence, commissioning the airport with out a proper facility for cargo handling would be like having a handicapped baby, “ Agricultural Products and Processed Foods Exporters Association secretary Dil Koshy said.
There is a serious lapse on the part of the State Government and KSIE is setting up the facilities in time. Having a temporary facility for cargo movement is not desirable, he said adding that it would be better that the AAI takes over the cargo operations.
Amidst all these confusions, AAI is optimistic that the terminal could be commissioned during this month itself, provided all the agencies concerned cooperate.
Ends.
Technopark insulated against polls
Oct 14
While the local body elections are being widely discussed in every nook and corner of the city, nearly 30,000 people in the state capital seem to be insulated from the election heat. It appears that the candidates also are least concerned about this section who make valuable contributions to the state's economy.
Technopark, the first IT park in the country, that employs nearly 30,000 techies is nowhere in the election picture, especially because only a meagre section of the techies are voters of the wards in the which Technopark falls. Poll trends, merits or demerits of political parties or candidates or other poll-related issues are not being discussed in the premises, except a few.
What is surprising to note is that many of the candidates from the locality are also unaware of the issues being faced by techies, ranging from lack of streetlights to garbage dumping.
“I am unaware of any issues pertaining to Technopark,” was the instant reply of Lathika Dayanandan, BJP candidate in Attippra ward where a major portion of Technopark is located. “I was a native of Ulloor and came down to this place after marriage,” she justified.
Though Kazhakuttum got a place in the world IT map thanks to Technopark, the CPM candidate representing Kazhakuttum has literarily ignored Technopark. “Technopark did not come within the limits of my ward. You may better contact my counter part in Attipra ward,” M.Kala, the CPM candidate from Kazhakuttum, came up with her instant reply.
The UDF candidate in Kazhakuttum R.Sreerekha also said that there were no major issues pertaining to Technopark.
The techies can heave a sigh of relief as at least the BJP candidate from Kazhakuttum, K.Malini, is quite aware of the issues affecting them. “Technopark is facing various issues like garbage problem, stray dogs and streetlights. I will initiate steps to sort out these issues,” she said.
Sangeetha, the LDF candidate in Attipra and Suraja Kumari, the UDF candidate, also said that they would look into the issues faced by Technopark and try to find solutions.
Technopark, however, lists out a number of issues. The Technopark Chief Executive Officer Mervin Alexander lists out a series of issue that are affecting the smooth life of techies. “ First of all, there is lack of proper lighting on the national highway. Since many of the companies are working round the clock, techies will have to travel during the odd hours. Hence improper lighting, as well as better policing, are long pending issues pertaining to the Technoapark,” he said.
“Waste disposal is another issue affecting Technopark, which the local bodies could come up with a solution,” he adds.
The techies also list out a series of issues including development of the nearby Kazhakuttum railway station, fleecing of techies by autorickshaws and taxis and lack of sufficient public amenities.
While the local body elections are being widely discussed in every nook and corner of the city, nearly 30,000 people in the state capital seem to be insulated from the election heat. It appears that the candidates also are least concerned about this section who make valuable contributions to the state's economy.
Technopark, the first IT park in the country, that employs nearly 30,000 techies is nowhere in the election picture, especially because only a meagre section of the techies are voters of the wards in the which Technopark falls. Poll trends, merits or demerits of political parties or candidates or other poll-related issues are not being discussed in the premises, except a few.
What is surprising to note is that many of the candidates from the locality are also unaware of the issues being faced by techies, ranging from lack of streetlights to garbage dumping.
“I am unaware of any issues pertaining to Technopark,” was the instant reply of Lathika Dayanandan, BJP candidate in Attippra ward where a major portion of Technopark is located. “I was a native of Ulloor and came down to this place after marriage,” she justified.
Though Kazhakuttum got a place in the world IT map thanks to Technopark, the CPM candidate representing Kazhakuttum has literarily ignored Technopark. “Technopark did not come within the limits of my ward. You may better contact my counter part in Attipra ward,” M.Kala, the CPM candidate from Kazhakuttum, came up with her instant reply.
The UDF candidate in Kazhakuttum R.Sreerekha also said that there were no major issues pertaining to Technopark.
The techies can heave a sigh of relief as at least the BJP candidate from Kazhakuttum, K.Malini, is quite aware of the issues affecting them. “Technopark is facing various issues like garbage problem, stray dogs and streetlights. I will initiate steps to sort out these issues,” she said.
Sangeetha, the LDF candidate in Attipra and Suraja Kumari, the UDF candidate, also said that they would look into the issues faced by Technopark and try to find solutions.
Technopark, however, lists out a number of issues. The Technopark Chief Executive Officer Mervin Alexander lists out a series of issue that are affecting the smooth life of techies. “ First of all, there is lack of proper lighting on the national highway. Since many of the companies are working round the clock, techies will have to travel during the odd hours. Hence improper lighting, as well as better policing, are long pending issues pertaining to the Technoapark,” he said.
“Waste disposal is another issue affecting Technopark, which the local bodies could come up with a solution,” he adds.
The techies also list out a series of issues including development of the nearby Kazhakuttum railway station, fleecing of techies by autorickshaws and taxis and lack of sufficient public amenities.
Kerala gearing up for UID enrolment
Oct, 12
Aimed at enrolling one-third of the state's population by March 2011, the Unique Identification (UID) project would be rolled out in the state shortly.
Though met with certain initial hiccups, the project is expected to be in full throttle as the Akshaya e-Kendras across the state as well as Keltron are gearing up for the enrollment process. The target is to enroll one crore persons by the first quarter of next year, said sources.
While the 2000 odd Akshaya e-Kendras would collect the data from the general public, the Keltron would mainly focus on Government offices and urban areas. As many as 50 lakh students in the State would be registered by Keltron with the support of IT@School. The State IT Department has been appointed as the registrar for the UID projectin the state and the Kerala State IT Mission is the nodal agency.
IT Department sources said that the project is slightly off the actual schedule in the State owing to the delay on the part of the State Government is finalising the state-specific data to be collected from each individual in the state.
The UID Authority of India had listed out as set of details, including the iris identification and finger print, to be collected from each individual which is referred to as Know Your Residence (KYR) details. Apart this, in each state governments could prescribe a set of state-specific information pertaining to an individual, referred to as KYR plus, which would also be incorporated with the UID database. The data thus collected may be later used by the state.
IT Mission Director Ishita Roy said that besides some technical issues all the preparation for enrolling to UID are in the final stages in the state.
While the enrollment process had already begun in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka the preparations are in the final stages. Enrollment has also begun in Maharashtra.
Though the UID Authority had provided the application for the data collection which is based on proprietary software, the State is developing a Linux-based application. The Akshaya and Keltron would be procuring the hardware, including iris scanner and finger print scanner. The data collected would be uploaded to the UID Authority data base in Bangalore.
Rolling out of the UID project would also brighten the prospects of the Akshaya entrepreneurs in the state as it would earn considerable returns to them.
Ends
Aimed at enrolling one-third of the state's population by March 2011, the Unique Identification (UID) project would be rolled out in the state shortly.
Though met with certain initial hiccups, the project is expected to be in full throttle as the Akshaya e-Kendras across the state as well as Keltron are gearing up for the enrollment process. The target is to enroll one crore persons by the first quarter of next year, said sources.
While the 2000 odd Akshaya e-Kendras would collect the data from the general public, the Keltron would mainly focus on Government offices and urban areas. As many as 50 lakh students in the State would be registered by Keltron with the support of IT@School. The State IT Department has been appointed as the registrar for the UID projectin the state and the Kerala State IT Mission is the nodal agency.
IT Department sources said that the project is slightly off the actual schedule in the State owing to the delay on the part of the State Government is finalising the state-specific data to be collected from each individual in the state.
The UID Authority of India had listed out as set of details, including the iris identification and finger print, to be collected from each individual which is referred to as Know Your Residence (KYR) details. Apart this, in each state governments could prescribe a set of state-specific information pertaining to an individual, referred to as KYR plus, which would also be incorporated with the UID database. The data thus collected may be later used by the state.
IT Mission Director Ishita Roy said that besides some technical issues all the preparation for enrolling to UID are in the final stages in the state.
While the enrollment process had already begun in the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka the preparations are in the final stages. Enrollment has also begun in Maharashtra.
Though the UID Authority had provided the application for the data collection which is based on proprietary software, the State is developing a Linux-based application. The Akshaya and Keltron would be procuring the hardware, including iris scanner and finger print scanner. The data collected would be uploaded to the UID Authority data base in Bangalore.
Rolling out of the UID project would also brighten the prospects of the Akshaya entrepreneurs in the state as it would earn considerable returns to them.
Ends
Techies out for selling their creativity
Oct 12
No problem if another recession hits the IT sector. The techies of the Thiruvananthapuram Technopark are earning an extra income out of their creativity.
Techie Store, a latest initiative of a group of IT professionals of the Technopark, is setting the platform for the techies to showcase their creativity and get a fair price. Techies could post their products on www.store.technoparktoday.com and find prospective buyers.
“We have come up with the idea after it was noticed that lot of techies in the Technopark are involved in various creative works like painting, cooking, making of curios etc. Though launched only couple of days back, the new venture is getting an impressive response, “ says Renjith Ramachandran, an IT professional in a Technopark firm who is one of the active promoters of the online venture.
'Technoparktoday.com', has been one of the prime initiatives of the group. The community portal aims at exchanging IT related news as well as other useful information to the techies, especially those in the Technopark. The group also maintains www.tpbazaar.com, a website aimed at selling used commodities like household items and other gadgets of techies, besides real estate trade and house rental.
Techie Store will be an online store for the techies by the techies. There are lots of techies who do oil and glass paintings, embroidery works, modelling vintage aircraft, greeting cards, various dishes and cakes and even designer ornaments. At present, these are being distributed among their friends or office circles. At times some of the companies conduct in-house events to promote the creativity of their employees, say the promoters.
Through the new initiative we give the techies a plat form to display their products and quote the price. A collection centre would also be assigned in Technopark campus for the transaction between the buyer and seller.
“We do not intend to earn any profit from this as the transaction would take place between the buyer and seller directly. We are merely setting a platform for displaying the products, “ says Renjith.
Various essential commodities for techies like ID card holder and memory cards would also be made available through the Techie Store.
ends
No problem if another recession hits the IT sector. The techies of the Thiruvananthapuram Technopark are earning an extra income out of their creativity.
Techie Store, a latest initiative of a group of IT professionals of the Technopark, is setting the platform for the techies to showcase their creativity and get a fair price. Techies could post their products on www.store.technoparktoday.com and find prospective buyers.
“We have come up with the idea after it was noticed that lot of techies in the Technopark are involved in various creative works like painting, cooking, making of curios etc. Though launched only couple of days back, the new venture is getting an impressive response, “ says Renjith Ramachandran, an IT professional in a Technopark firm who is one of the active promoters of the online venture.
'Technoparktoday.com', has been one of the prime initiatives of the group. The community portal aims at exchanging IT related news as well as other useful information to the techies, especially those in the Technopark. The group also maintains www.tpbazaar.com, a website aimed at selling used commodities like household items and other gadgets of techies, besides real estate trade and house rental.
Techie Store will be an online store for the techies by the techies. There are lots of techies who do oil and glass paintings, embroidery works, modelling vintage aircraft, greeting cards, various dishes and cakes and even designer ornaments. At present, these are being distributed among their friends or office circles. At times some of the companies conduct in-house events to promote the creativity of their employees, say the promoters.
Through the new initiative we give the techies a plat form to display their products and quote the price. A collection centre would also be assigned in Technopark campus for the transaction between the buyer and seller.
“We do not intend to earn any profit from this as the transaction would take place between the buyer and seller directly. We are merely setting a platform for displaying the products, “ says Renjith.
Various essential commodities for techies like ID card holder and memory cards would also be made available through the Techie Store.
ends
Locals concerned over shifting of airport terminal
Oct 10
While the countdown for the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has begun on one side, on the other the golden days of a small region is coming to an end.
Scores of traders, lodge owners and autorickshaw and taxi drivers at Shanghumugham are quite concerned over the shifting of the international terminal to the Chakai side as it would be a major blow to their business. They are, however, pinning hopes on a proposal mooted by Thiruvanananthapuram MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor to retain international budget airlines at the existing international terminal.
“Our business fully depends on the passengers at the airport as well as those coming to see off or receive them. Hence shifting the international terminal from here would badly hit us,“ says Shaji who runs a small shop opposite to the Airport over the last four decades.
More than a 100 shops and about two dozen lodges make up the Shanghumugham junction, besides a couple of banks and travel agencies.
Besides the establishments, more than 60 autorickshaw drivers and a same number of taxi drivers are also concerned about their future. “Once the international operations are entirely shifted from here, Shanghumugham junction would become a deserted place. It would leave us in dire straits,“ says 61 year old Ashokan Nair, an autorickshaw driver at Shanghumugham for the last 30 years.
“The future is dark for the 60-odd auto drivers here,“ adds Pathrose Augustine, another autorickshaw driver of the locality.
It would be quite diffuclt for them to relocate to Chakai as many autos are already based there. Moreover, the new terminal is quite far from the main road than the existing one. Hence it would be quite difficult for autorickshaws to get rides unless they are allowed inside the new terminal premises, Pathrose says.
The Government and the officials concerned should show us a way to lead our life, they plead.
“It is going to be the second major blow for the lodges and other traders at Shamghumugham, after the one following the commissioning of the Nedumbaserry Airport,“ says Timothy Pereira, who earlier ran a lodge at Shamghumugham Junction.
Before the Nedumbassery Airport was commissioned, there used to be brisk business at Shanghumugham and many houses in the locality used to hire rooms on daily rent. ''But once the Nedumbaserry Airport came, there was considerable decline in our business and hence I closed my lodge a couple of years back. The situation is going to be the worst for traders and lodge owners once the entire internataional operations are shifted from here,'' says Timothy.
International passengers constitute about three-fourth of the total passengers at the airport.
Shashi Tharoor had recently written to the Civil Aviation Ministry proposing that the existing international terminal may be converted into a no-frills terminal as in many foreign countries. At present three budget airlines are operating from Thiruvananthapruam - Air India Express, Air Arabia and Air Asia. The Singapore-based budget airlines Tiger Airways is scheduled to commence services from Thiruvanananthapuram in November.
Ends.
While the countdown for the commissioning of the new terminal of the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport has begun on one side, on the other the golden days of a small region is coming to an end.
Scores of traders, lodge owners and autorickshaw and taxi drivers at Shanghumugham are quite concerned over the shifting of the international terminal to the Chakai side as it would be a major blow to their business. They are, however, pinning hopes on a proposal mooted by Thiruvanananthapuram MP and former Union Minister Shashi Tharoor to retain international budget airlines at the existing international terminal.
“Our business fully depends on the passengers at the airport as well as those coming to see off or receive them. Hence shifting the international terminal from here would badly hit us,“ says Shaji who runs a small shop opposite to the Airport over the last four decades.
More than a 100 shops and about two dozen lodges make up the Shanghumugham junction, besides a couple of banks and travel agencies.
Besides the establishments, more than 60 autorickshaw drivers and a same number of taxi drivers are also concerned about their future. “Once the international operations are entirely shifted from here, Shanghumugham junction would become a deserted place. It would leave us in dire straits,“ says 61 year old Ashokan Nair, an autorickshaw driver at Shanghumugham for the last 30 years.
“The future is dark for the 60-odd auto drivers here,“ adds Pathrose Augustine, another autorickshaw driver of the locality.
It would be quite diffuclt for them to relocate to Chakai as many autos are already based there. Moreover, the new terminal is quite far from the main road than the existing one. Hence it would be quite difficult for autorickshaws to get rides unless they are allowed inside the new terminal premises, Pathrose says.
The Government and the officials concerned should show us a way to lead our life, they plead.
“It is going to be the second major blow for the lodges and other traders at Shamghumugham, after the one following the commissioning of the Nedumbaserry Airport,“ says Timothy Pereira, who earlier ran a lodge at Shamghumugham Junction.
Before the Nedumbassery Airport was commissioned, there used to be brisk business at Shanghumugham and many houses in the locality used to hire rooms on daily rent. ''But once the Nedumbaserry Airport came, there was considerable decline in our business and hence I closed my lodge a couple of years back. The situation is going to be the worst for traders and lodge owners once the entire internataional operations are shifted from here,'' says Timothy.
International passengers constitute about three-fourth of the total passengers at the airport.
Shashi Tharoor had recently written to the Civil Aviation Ministry proposing that the existing international terminal may be converted into a no-frills terminal as in many foreign countries. At present three budget airlines are operating from Thiruvananthapruam - Air India Express, Air Arabia and Air Asia. The Singapore-based budget airlines Tiger Airways is scheduled to commence services from Thiruvanananthapuram in November.
Ends.
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