THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The decision of the Centre to lease out Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to a private party has stirred a political storm but some time ago, Shashi Tharoor MP, in an interview given to Kaumudy TV, had emphasised that “the capital city needs an operator who thinks about Thiruvananthapuram airport and Thiruvananthapuram will develop only if the airport develops”.

Though the interview is a bit old now, it is being widely viewed due to the current relevance of the topic.

“In the first nine years, there was some good development. I brought here several flights which never had a stopover in this airport. When I talked to many companies, what they pointed out was the non-availability of certain flights in Thiruvananthapuram. They had asked me how they would come to a palace where there is no sufficient flight connectivity.

Tech Mahindra had agreed 90 pc to come to Thiruvananthapuram. But what made them step back was non-availability of flights. Tech Mahindra’s CEO himself had told me about this. Therefore, what we need is an operator who is concerned about the Capital city. Nobody is going to sell the airport to anyone. This is just a contract between the operator and developer.

It is not right for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to say that he will not cooperate if private operator comes here. Whoever comes, Thiruvananthapuram needs development.

Even if Adani is removed and Ravi Pillai or Yusuff Ali is brought in, there is no problem. If one person wins the tender and comes, let that person improve Thiruvananthapuram. In my opinion, Thiruvananthapuram airport should develop immediately,” he had said.