New Delhi: Various airlines owe a huge sum of Rs 75,701 lakh to Airports Authority of India till September 2004, Minister of State of Civil Aviation Praful Patel informed the Rajya Sabha today (Dec 14, 2004).

In a written reply, Patel said AAI has taken suitable action wherever necessary to recover their dues.

He said a National Civil Aviation Policy is under formulation of the Government, which would ensure that right players get the licence to operate air passenger service.

Airports: He said studies had been carried out for upgrading the infrastructure at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (Mumbai), Indira Gandhi International Airport (Delhi) for the introduction of the Airbus A-380.

Airlines: Patel said Indian Airlines proposal for 43 aircraft comprising 19 A-319, 4 A-320 and 20 A-321 manufactured by Airbus Industries with engines from CFM International was considered by Public Investment Board on 10th November, 2004 with the net cost of Rs 10,089 crores.

Replying to another question, he said the Indian Airlines plans to convert five B-737 aircraft into freight aircraft and operate courier service with Nagpur as a hub. The service is to be launched in 31 cities in two phases.

To another question, he said the Government has presently permitted Private Domestic Scheduled Operators (PDSOs) to operate to SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) countries against unutilised entitlements of the Indian side subject to the provision for designation of multiple airlines in the respective Air Services Agreement.

Equity: Further equity infusion by the Government in Air India and Indian Airlines is linked to the fleet acquisition plan of the two airlines, he said and added that as such, no fixed time frame for this can be indicated at this stage, the established procedures for consideration of public investment proposals will have to be followed.

Fog: Patel said that fog preparedness for this winter were reviewed with all the concerned agencies and added that Air India has rescheduled its long haul west bound flights to omit Delhi in both directions and operate directly to/from Mumbai between November 23, 2004 and February 4, 2005.

He said arrangements have also been made to transport passengers from/to Delhi through shuttle services.

Oil: Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Mani Shankar Aiyar said that a British Company M/s Cairn Energy India Pvt Ltd has reported nine oil discoveries in block RJ-ON-90/1 in Rajasthan including two commercial discoveries at Mangla and NA-1 in January, 2004 and March, 2004 respectively.

Floods: Government of Bihar has submitted a proposal to Sub-Group-III set up under the Task Force on Flood Management and Erosion Control constituted by the Central Government under chairmanship of Central Water Commission Chairman, Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Yadav said adding the force would be submit its report by 31st December, 2004.