The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd (KSIDC), which has never run an airport, and lost the bid to run the one in Thiruvananthapuram, has sought court intervention to block Adani Enterprises, which placed the winning bid, from taking over operations. It cited, among other things, Adani’s lack of experience in operating airports.
Adani Enterprises had quoted the highest per-passenger fee of Rs. 168 in the auction to lease the airport for 50 years. KSIDC came second with Rs. 135. The difference in the price bids was 19.7 per cent, denying KSIDC the deal.
Prior to the invitation of price bids, the Kerala government had wrested an assurance from the Centre that if its quote came within 10 per cent of the highest bid, it would be allowed to match that rate.
