Mumbai, July 16 -- As civil operations prepare to move from the historic Visakhapatnam International Airport to the new Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport at Bhogapuram, uncertainty has risen over the future of hundreds of contractual employees. The Airport Advisory Committee (AAC) met at the airport under the chairmanship of Member of Parliament (MP) M Sribharath to review the transition. The meeting focused on ensuring that the workforce engaged in a range of airport services is not left without livelihood opportunities.
Airport Director N Purushottam provided a detailed overview of operations, including passenger traffic, cargo handling and infrastructure, and the committee reviewed actions taken on earlier decisions. A significant portion of the discussion concerned workers employed in housekeeping, passenger facilitation, assistance for persons with reduced mobility, DigiYatra support, civil and electrical maintenance, plumbing, information technology, motor transport, ground handling and commercial establishments. The committee initiated steps to facilitate redeployment of contractual personnel once commercial operations shift to Bhogapuram.
The MP directed the Airport Director to prepare a comprehensive database of all contractual personnel categorised by skills and experience, to be shared with organisations such as GMR, the Hotel Federation and the Chamber of Commerce to explore employment opportunities. He sought redeployment based on skills and experience and instructed that discussions be held with industries and business establishments in the region to identify vacancies for those not absorbed during the transition. The move is intended to mitigate job loss and support the transfer of responsibilities.
Present at the meeting were the Deputy Commandant of the CISF, representatives of the district administration, state police, airline operators, local bodies and other stakeholders who will be involved in the transition process. A committee member recalled the airport's milestones and contributions by successive MPs in expanding infrastructure and connectivity, and noted efforts to support worker rehabilitation. He urged the State government to prepare a long term plan for the future use of the 366-acre airport land, suggesting regional aviation, business aviation, maintenance, repair and overhaul services and cargo operations as possible options.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.