New food and beverage agency for airport on cards

PANAJI: After the previous attempt to revamp the dining options at Goa International Airport hit an air pocket, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has made a fresh attempt to appoint a new agency to set up food and beverage services at the state’s only international airport. The new agency is expected to be in place over the next six months, said AAI officers.
The AAI has approached five agencies, who bid for the earlier tender for grant of concession to develop, market, set up, operate, maintain and manage the food and beverage outlets at Goa International Airport.
After the contract for the existing restaurant, Port Lounge, expired in March 31 this year, AAI had awarded the contract to a new consortium. The consortium of Seven Hills Buildcon Private Limited and Kamat Hotel (India) Ltd was granted the concession to operate restaurants and eateries at the integrated airport terminal but after being given the letter of intent award (LOIA), the consortium failed to comply with the conditions of the LOIA.
To quicken the process, AAI has asked the companies which qualified on a technical basis in January this year, to resubmit financial bids by July 24. Seven Hills Buildcon Private Limited and Kamat Hotel (India) Ltd have been barred from participating in the process, sources said.
According to AAI officials, Seven Hills Buildcon Private Limited and Kamat Hotel (India) Ltd have approached the lower courts, Vasco, after AAI issued a show-cause notice to the consortium and scrapped the award letter.
For years, passengers have been critical of the existing catering services that consist of just one restaurant and a food stall for the seven million people who travelled through the airport last year.
“There is only one restaurant in the lounge area, which offers limited food options itself,” Pavan Verma, a passenger, said. Another flier, Shivalik Prasad, complained that the restaurant was fleecing customers.
AAI Goa has responded to these concerns with a tweet stating that it was equally concerned and was in the process of bringing in “both, international and domestic food and beverage brands at the Goa Airport”.
For years, passengers have been critical of the existing catering services that consist of just one restaurant and a food stall for the seven million people who travelled through the airport last year