| MAY belt it has got something to do with Hyderabadi biryani. A common thread linking both GMR and GVK, winners of the airport race, is the southern city known for its spicy delights. Both groups are from the city of Charminar and GMR is building an international airport there. The other commonalties are their low-profile nature and, of course, the names starting with G —as pointed out by ET last week while informing leaders of the final outcome of the great airport controversy.
While the losers were vocal in expressing their dissent, GMR and GVK kept their volume to the minimum, “We congratulate the government for successfully completing the bid process for modernization of Delhi and Mumbai airports. We along with our partners, Fraport, MAHE and India Development Fund, reaffirm our commitment in delivering a world-class airport for Delhi,” was the measured reaction from a spokesperson for the GMR consortium.
GVK was even more guarded. “We have emerged as the highest bidder for Mumbai airport and are awaiting a word from the government,” said a GVK spokesperson. Representatives of both groups were among the first to leave Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan after the official team headed by AAI board member V D V Prasada Rao completed the process of opening financial bids. It is understood that the two groups would talk about their proposed plans only after the Cabinet formally clears the choice of private Sectors partners tomorrow.
Apart from the Hyderabad airport, the GMR group is engaged in infrastructure projects such as highways and energy. The GVK group is also into power and infrastructure.
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