Surat Airport Draws Criticism over CER Failures

Surat : The Surat Airport administration as well as Airport authority of india western region and delhi headquarter are under fire following revelations of its failure to adequately implement Corporate Environment Responsibility (CER) initiatives. A recent Right to Information (RTI) request has brought to light significant shortcomings in the airport’s efforts, despite being allocated a substantial CER fund of Rs. 2.65 crore by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).

The CER fund, which was derived from the Surat airport’s expansion project with a capital investment of Rs. 353.25 crore, was intended to be utilised over a five year period to support a range of community and environmental initiatives. These initiatives included education, infrastructure development, environmental management, and other community-focused programs. 

However, the RTI inquiry has revealed that the actual use of these funds has been minimal and ineffective, raising serious concerns about the airport administration’s commitment to its CER obligations.

Allocated Funds and Their Intended Purpose

According to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, the CER funds were specifically allocated as follows:

Education : Rs. 4.52 lakh for school infrastructure, books, scholarships, and sports items.

Infrastructure Development: Rs. 76.36 lakh for improvements in schools, community facilities, and road maintenance.

Environmental Management: Rs. 85 lakh for tree plantation, waste management, rainwater harvesting, and pollution control measures. 

Other Initiatives: Rs. 99.12 lakh for medical camps, women empowerment, traffic awareness, and contributions to the Chief Minister’s Sahyata Kosh.

These funds were meant to enhance the quality of life for the local community while mitigating the environmental impact of the airport’s expansion. However, the RTI findings suggest that the airport’s contributions have been limited to minor donations at a central government school, falling far short of the comprehensive efforts outlined in the MoEFCC’s Office Memorandum F.No. 22-65/2017-IA.III, dated May 1, 2018.

Key Findings from the RTI Inquiry

The RTI inquiry has highlighted several critical issues:

Inadequate Utilisation: The majority of the allocated CER funds have not been used as intended. Promised investments in environmental protection, education, and community infrastructure have not materialised.

Limited Impact: The CER activities carried out so far are insufficient and do not reflect the level of commitment required by the environmental impact analysis. This has raised questions about the airport administration’s adherence to both regulatory guidelines and ethical standards.

In light of these findings, there is a growing demand for the Surat Airport administration to take immediate and meaningful action. The airport administration must develop and publicly disclose a detailed plan for effectively utilising the Rs. 2.65 crore CER fund. This plan should prioritise substantial outcomes in environmental protection, education, and community development.

The airport should launch significant projects that align with the objectives outlined in the environmental impact analysis. This includes large-scale infrastructure developments and comprehensive environmental and educational initiatives.

There must be a robust monitoring system in place to ensure the effective use of CER funds. The administration should regularly update the public on the progress and utilisation of these funds to maintain transparency and accountability.

The effective implementation of CER initiatives is not only a regulatory requirement but also a moral obligation that can foster positive community relations and support sustainable development. The Surat Airport administration is urged to address these issues with the urgency they demand, ensuring that the CER funds are utilised as intended and in alignment with the commitments made in the environmental impact analysis.