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New Delhi, Sept. 2: A recent report by the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa) has negated the government’s claim to set up the civil aviation authority (CAA) within a few months.
The setting up of the CAA, which will replace the the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), may take longer than expected.
According to an official in the civil aviation ministry, screening and recruitment of people for various departments of the CAA may start soon. “We have zeroed in on the departments, which are in immediate need of manpower. The recruitments will start soon,” he said.
However, Australia-based industry consultant Capa indicated that plans for the CAA were moving slowly and it could take another 12-18 months to become operational.
“A concerted effort to restructure the DGCA now appears to be on hold pending the establishment of a new unified and independent regulator in the form of an Indian civil aviation authority. However, these plans are moving slowly and it could take another 12-18 months before the authority is functioning. Addressing the skill deficit at the DGCA cannot wait until then and urgent measures need to be taken in the interim. The growth of the entire sector and India’s aviation reputation is at stake,” it said.
Capa expects total passenger traffic to rise to 450 million by 2020 from around 160 million in 2011, making India the third largest aviation market in the world after the US and China. “But if this is to occur, and occur safely, the establishment of a strong and independent regulator is an essential foundation,” it said.
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