PM Misled About BCAS Clearance at Surat Airport!

Surat : In a shocking revelation, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has admitted, in an RTI reply, that it has not given floor plan approval to Surat International Airport’s expanded terminal. This is yet another instance where the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has been misled. Previously, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) did not present the ambitious Master Plan 2035 for Surat, which includes a proposed parallel runway and integrated terminal building.

This situation is troubling as the PMO, following a report by The Blunt Times, had already taken note and enquired about the reasons behind misleading the office. Subsequently, the proposed Master Plan 2035 was removed from all offices of Surat Airport, suggesting it has been scrapped.

BCAS, the apex authority for aviation security, is responsible for:
– Laying down aviation security standards in line with ICAO’s Annex 17.
– Monitoring and surveying security rules and regulations.
– Ensuring proper training and competencies of personnel implementing security controls.
– Coordinating aviation security matters.

Despite the Prime Minister inaugurating the expanded terminal with great fanfare on December 17, 2023 at Surat Airport, there have been significant operational issues. No food and beverage or retail stalls are installed inside the international security hold area, causing inconvenience to passengers flying to Dubai, Sharjah, and soon Bangkok. The smoking box remains locked due to BCAS’s non-approval of the floor plan. This delay is resulting in lost revenue for the airport, as the master contract for food and retail is based on passenger footfall.

BCAS has raised several objections during their inspections, creating a deadlock between departments. A critical question remains: why did AAI, DGCA, and BCAS give the PMO a green signal about the terminal’s completion and compliance? Even after eight months, the essential floor plan approval is stalled.

Passengers are questioning who will be held accountable in the event of an incident at Surat Airport. It is imperative that the PMO initiates a thorough enquiry to resolve the deadlock between AAI and BCAS, ensuring the safety and convenience of Surat’s flyers.