Pune: Public outcry has intensified over the privatization of the Hadapsar Gliding Centre after a report authored by a suspended committee member was accepted as the basis for transferring the centre to the Airports Authority of India (AAI).
The Ministry of Civil Aviation had appointed a three-member committee to recommend the transfer, but one of its members, Anil Gill, was suspended for financial misconduct. Despite this, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) moved forward with the committee’s recommendations.
Critics argue that the committee should have been dissolved after allegations against Gill were substantiated. Instead, the report has raised fears of privatization, threatening the existence of the gliding centre, a vital training hub for aspiring pilots.
Concerns Over Increased Costs
The Hadapsar Gliding Centre, known for its affordable training programs, has been a beacon for aspiring pilots. The centre is set to be handed over to the AAI on December 31, 2024. The lease agreement allows the AAI to utilize 250 acres of land at an annual rent of just ₹1 for the next 99 years.
Although the AAI is a semi-government entity, its corporate structure has raised concerns about subsequent privatization. Experts warn that privatization would significantly increase costs, with training flights currently priced at ₹187 expected to rise sharply.
Suspicion of Intentional Privatization
Months prior to the decision, a small private aircraft was landed at the gliding centre in a move allegedly orchestrated by Gill. Aviation experts claim this demonstration was intended to showcase the feasibility of private operations, thereby clearing the path for privatization. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, they allege, fell for this calculated move, further supporting the privatization agenda.
Public and Expert Backlash
The decision has faced widespread criticism, with aviation experts, citizens, and training pilots urging authorities to reverse the transfer and protect the centre's affordability and historic significance.