KOCHI: A controversy is raging over the delay in starting operations at the new international terminal (T3) at the Cochin international airport which was declared open for commercial operations by Chief Minister and CIAL chairman Pinarayi Vijayan on March 11. The real reason for the delay in starting actual operations is the shortage of adequate number of additional CISF personnel for security at the new terminal. However, sources said that the non-representation of the Central government and the BJP for the formal inaugural function of the terminal on March 11 has caused heartburns among them which is resulting in the delay in starting the operations due to a ‘Central hurdle’.

It is learnt that the local BJP leadership had expressed its unhappiness to the CIAL bosses over the exclusion while people like CPM district secretary P. Rajeev were given a seat on the dais. No Union minister was invited to the inauguration of the terminal which had got a lot of clearances from the Central government and its support at the right intervals. However, a CIAL spokesperson discounted the possibility of Central government making any such move. “That cannot be the case. It is true that the commencement of terminal operations are delayed due to the delay in deploying 362 additional CISF personnel at the T3. However, yesterday they have released 23 personnel from Bhilai steel plant and we hope that the rest will join soon,” he said.

The spokesperson also said that only CIAL chairman, director board members, officials and people’s representatives from the area and union representatives were taken on the dais of the inaugural function. “P. Rajeev, V.D. Satheesan and Hibi Eden represented labour unions. It was purely a CIAL function and ministers participated in their capacity as director board members,” said the spokesperson.