Rajiv Gandhi International Airport of Hyderabad has been constructed on Wakf land. Hajj pilgrims going to Saudi Arabia from this Airport are not getting any concession in user charges. According to decisions taken by Directors of GMR 50% relief which used to be given earlier in user charges has been discontinued. It is alleged that this has happened due to the weak attitude of the State Hajj Committee and AP State Wakf Board. Both these are the institutions working under the department of Minorities Welfare.
If the department of Minorities Welfare exhibits courage and allows AP State Wakf Board to identify Wakf Land given to GMR Airport, the authorities of Airport will get perturbed. It seems that the department of Minorities Welfare doesn’t want to displease the authorities of GMR Airport. The Airport authorities use to collect Rs. 1780 from the passengers travelling from Hyderabad Airport but Hajj pilgrims were given concession upto 50%. It may be mentioned that there is no facility of conveyor belt for the luggage of the passengers boarding from Hajj Terminal. This terminal doesn’t offer any other basic amenities also. The officials of GMR airport have clearly told the department of Minorities Welfare that Hajj Pilgrims have to board the plane only through the Hajj Terminal and they will not be given any concession in user charges.
It is reported that Airport Director, Mr. Prasanna Chella has already intimated this decision to AP State Hajj Committee. When the reporter of Siasat wanted to contact Mr. Prasanna he bluntly refused to meet. It may be noted that Govt. allotted half of the land of Airport which belongs to AP State Wakf Board but Wakf Board is behaving like a silent spectator. Govt. should convene a meeting of the officials of GMR Airport and direct them not to collect full user charges from the Hajj pilgrims since the Airport has been constructed on Wakf Land. The Govt. should also instruct the Airport officials to provide conveyor belt to facilitate to Hajj pilgrims to get back their luggage easily.
——Siasat News