1 FARAD CONTINUATION SHEET. IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY NAGPUR BENCH : NAGPUR. WRIT PETITION NO.6377/2005. Vidarbha Jankalyan Wa Vikas Sanstha (Known as Vidarbha Economic Development Council-WED), Nagpur. ..vs.. Union of India, Ministry of Civil Aviation, New Delhi and five ors. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Office Notes, office Memoranda of Coram Court's or Judge's appearances, Court's orders or directions order and Registrar's order. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Mr.A.C.Dharmadhikari, Adv. for the petitioner. Mr. Amarendra Sharan, Additional Solicitor General of India with Shri S.K.Mishra Asstt. Solicitor General of India, for respondents Nos.1 to 5. CORAM: D.D.SINHA and C.L.PANGARKAR,JJ. DATE : 23rd June, 2008. 1. Heard Mr.A.C.Dharmadhikari, Advocate for the petitioner and Mr.Sharan, Addl.Solicitor General of India. 2. The learned counsel for the petitioner brought to our notice last order passed by this court dated 18/3/2008, wherein this court has specifically observed that the Union Cabinet no 2 doubt has granted approval in principle to hand over Nagpur Airport to Joint Venture Company subject to certain conditions. Mr.Dharmadhikari, learned counsel for the petitioner, has submitted that though the decision is taken in principle, however, Nagpur Airport has not factually been handed over to Joint Venture Company which in fact is yet to be formed. The learned counsel, therefore, contended that respondents no.1 and 2 may be asked to apprise this court what is the time frame within which the Joint Venture Company will be formed and when Nagpur Airport would be factually handed over to the Joint Venture Company. 3. Mr.Sharan, Additional Solicitor General, has submitted that since the decision is already taken by the Union Cabinet to handover the Nagpur Airport to Joint Venture Company in principle, appropriate steps shall be taken by the authorities concerned in due course of time and the grievance made by the learned counsel for the petitioner really does not exist now. 4. The court has taken cognizance of the issue in larger public interest way back in 2005. This court from time to time passed orders, 3 pursuant to which affidavits were filed by the respondent giving details about the progress made by the respondent. Though the cognizance was taken by us in the year 2005, however, it took long time for the Union Cabinet to take a decision regarding handing over of Nagpur Airport to the Joint Venture Company. The Union Cabinet for the first time in the year 2008 took decision in principle to handover the Nagpur Airport to Joint Venture Company. It is no doubt true that there are various aspects and factors required to be considered by the authorities concerned before handing over the Nagpur Airport to Joint Venture Company. However, since the decision is already taken by the Cabinet in principle for handing over the Nagpur Airport to Joint Venture Company, we hope and trust that the entire process would be completed within the reasonable time in order to avoid additional burden on the public exchequer due to escalation not only of the costs of construction but in respect of various other items and materials because of the delay. 5. We record our appreciation for giving good cooperation and assistance to this court by Mr.Sharan, learned Additional Solicitor General, in serving the public cause. We want Mr.Sharan to 4 inform this court by filing affidavit on or before 20/8/2008, giving details about the progress made in constituting the Joint Venture Company and by what time handing over of the Nagpur Airport to the said Company would take place. S.O. 20/8/2008. JUDGE JUDGE. chute