Parallel narratives can be no match for facts.

A campaign has been launched against the decision to privatise the Thiruvananthapuram airport.

Here are the facts.

GoI granted "In principle" approval on 08.11.2018 for leasing out the operations, management & development of six (06) AAI Airports viz Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Jaipur, Guwahati & Thiruvananthapuram Airports through PPP mode.

In their representation that followed thereafter on 21.11.2018, GoK requested that Thiruvananthapuram International Airport be delinked from the PPP process. They also cited their experience in development of Greenfield airports at Cochin & Kannur.

Subsequently, on 4.12.2018 they suggested transfer of Thiruvananthapuram Airport to GoK for operation & management by forming an SPV & offered Right of First Refusal (ROFR) to the SPV of GoK.

Following more discussion on the matter, including a meeting with EGoS, the GoK themselves decided to participate in the process & requested that their participation be based on RoFR. This was agreed upon.

It was stipulated that if the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) bid comes within the 10% range of the winning bid, they would be awarded the work. There was a difference of 19.64% between them & the next bidder when bids were open.

Winning bid quoted ₹168 per passenger, KSIDC quoted ₹135 per passenger & third qualifying bidder was at ₹63 per passenger.
Thus, despite special provision of RoFR being given to GoK, they could not qualify in international bidding process carried out in a transparent manner.

They subsequently approached the Hon’ble Kerala High Court & Hon’ble Supreme Court.

All these facts are available in the public domain.