TRIVANDRUM, 15 October 2005 — The budget airline that the Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) plans to launch early next year would offer subsidized air tickets to low-income expatriates.
Those who were forced to stay in the Gulf for more than five years without vacation for not being able to afford the prevailing airfares would benefit from the scheme, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who is also the chairman of the CIAL, said.
Besides initial public offering (IPO), the CIAL would invite NRIs to invest in the subsidiary that would operate budget flights on the Kerala-Gulf sector besides linking the southern airports on the domestic sector.
Interacting with senior journalists on Vision 2010 here yesterday, Chandy said his government would organize coaching camps for unemployed youths residing in the 6-km radius of the proposed Smart City to exploit the job opportunities being thrown up by the Dubai Internet City’s offshore facility.
The Vision 2010, originally presented by President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam before the state legislative assembly recently, aims at doubling its GDP in five years and making it the most developed state in India in five years.
“From construction and maintenance activities to shops, eateries and hospitality and taxi services, Smart City’s job potential is immense. We have to prepare ourselves to tap these opportunities,” he said.
At least 33,000 people would get direct employment while the indirect jobs from the special economic zone for the information technology and related businesses would be many more.
Though the formal announcement of the Vision 2010 was scheduled for Nov. 1, the Kerala formation day, the government decided to avoid any public function as the model code of conduct for the Nov. 18 parliamentary by-election here would be in force by that time.
Besides two projects for poverty eradication and health insurance for the poor, the target includes new ports and a greenfield airport, special economic zones, metro rail and quality roads. The government also plans to conduct an international meet to promote the state as a global destination for higher education.
On inadequate federal investment in social infrastructure, he said he was able to convince Prime Minister Manmohan Sigh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi that the state was being punished for its achievements in quality of life indicators.
“We also have to address the problem of educated unemployment and huge aging population that are results of the achievements in education and health. The federal government is expected to come up with a special package for Kerala soon,” he said.
