In a bid to be socially responsible, the AAI has undertaken a number of CSR and welfare initiatives over the span of 2017. Here, we take a look at the details of their programmes.

Being a socially responsible enterprise, Airports Authority of India (AAI) is committed to serve the society and is making efforts to enhance the quality of life of the people from underprivileged sections of the society, especially those residing near its airports. The AAI is continuously exploring the opportunities where it can serve the society and is gradually increasing its expenditure on Corporate Social Responsibility and welfare activities.

For their various CSR and welfare activities, the AAI has spent Rs. 601.9 million during FY 2016-17. Here we look at the details of the various activities undertaken by the AAI.

Ambulance Service for North-East

AAI has provided an ambulance with Advanced Life Support System (ALS) to the Primary Health Centre at Longding District of Arunachal Pradesh with an objective of strengthening the health services in the remote north-east region.

Providing Funds for Cochlear Implant Surgery to ALIMCO for Under-Privileged Children

As per estimates, more than 10,000 children in India are born with congenital hearing loss and require cochlear implant. In view of the fact that it is very difficult for the underprivileged people to meet the expenses for cochlear implant surgery for their children, AAI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation Of India (ALIMCO) on March 17, 2017 under which it agreed to support 15 under-privileged children for conducting cochlear implant surgeries, which have been successfully completed. Furthermore, the AAI has decided to sponsor 100 underprivileged children in the current financial year 2017-18 for cochlear implant surgeries to under-privileged children by providing financial support of Rs. 66.9 million to ALIMCO and has entered an MoU with them on September 4, 2017 in this regard.

Financial Support to Hospitals for Procuring Medical Equipments

The AAI has provided financial support to a number of hospitals. The first being Sri Venkateswara Institute of Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (VIRRD), a charitable hospital in Dwaraka, Tirumala, Andhra Pradesh, for procuring additional equipments to provide high quality orthopedic service to the poorer sections of society. The second and third being two more hospitals in Andhra Pradesh – Maharaja District Hospital, Vizianagaram and Maharani Hospital (Gosha Hospital), Vizianagaram – for procuring medical equipments for effective functioning of these hospitals and to render better services to the patients.

Construction of Shelter Home at BRD Government Hospital, Gorakhpur

Considering that BRD Government Hospital in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh is visited by large number of patients and many camp outside the hospital failing to secure a bed, AAI, in collaboration with the hospital, is constructing 108 bedded shelter homes in the hospital to provide shelters to the patients and their relatives.

Construction of Toilets in Government Schools

The AAI has since 2014-15, in co-ordination with the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), under the Swachh Vidyalaya initiative, constructed more than 1,500 toilets in approximately 800 government schools, thereby benefitting more than 100,000 under-privileged students studying there. Till March 31, 2017, more than Rs. 263.6 million has been spent on the construction of toilets including Rs. 35.5 million in FY 2016-17.

Construction of Community Bio-Toilets

In an effort towards fulfilling its responsibility towards cleanliness and contributing to the government’s flagship campaign Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, community bio-toilets were constructed by AAI at Phoolpur, Allahabad. These bio-toilets reduce solid human waste by 90 percent and convert it into nutrient rich compost.

Contribution to Clean Ganga Fund

The Government of India is taking active interest in cleaning the water of Ganga River. A clean Ganga fund has also been set up to collect funds that would be used in various activities relating to the rejuvenation of Ganga River. To boost the collective efforts, AAI contributed Rs. 200 million (Rs.20 Crores) to the Clean Ganga Fund.

Solid Waste Management Project at Varanasi

The Solid Waste Management (SWM) programme at Varanasi under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan aims to put in place a credible mechanised and automated system for solid waste collection and transportation on pilot basis in 14 wards of Varanasi along the banks of Ganga. The AAI extended support towards this SWM project at Varanasi to the tune of Rs 50 million (Rs 50 Crore).

AAI Paper Recycling Unit

Inspired by the concept of promoting better practices for environment conservation, AAI became the first Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) in India to establish the Paper Recycling Unit to support the cause Government Recycled Office Waste (GROW).

Skills Development Programme

Following the success of skill development initiatives in the past, AAI and Construction Industry Development Council (CIDC) signed an MoU for Financial Assistance for Employment Oriented Training and Skill Development Programme.

The AAI has been able to leverage its CSR activities through this initiative to create a bigger impact and help in livelihood promotion of people from remote areas and marginalised sections of the society. This initiative has been further reinforced by including a clause in its General Conditions of Contract which state that 20 percent of the labour force at any stage of construction on projects should be trained, tested and certified.

The allocated CSR budget and CSR expenditure incurred in the last three years

Inauguration of Dum Dum Airport Girls’ High School

A new school building of Dum Dum Airport Girls’ High School was inaugurated by Dr Guruprasad Mohapatra, Chairman (AAI) at Kolkata on June 22, 2017. The construction of the new school building started in March, 2016 and was completed within a record time. The new school building consists of 16 classrooms and teachers’ room at each floor, headmistress’ office at both the floors, medical room, library, music room, space for mid-day meal, toilet block at each floor, ramp provision and dedicated toilets. Apart from the above, the school also has roof-top solar panels, fire alarm system, CCTV cameras, computers, furniture, etc.

Contribution to Swachh Bharat Kosh

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make the country Open Defecation Free by having adequate arrangements for solid and liquid waste management in all the rural and urban areas by October 2, 2019 coinciding with the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Government of India, on the initiation of the Prime Minister, has set up Swachh Bharat Kosh to achieve the objective of improving cleanliness levels in rural and urban areas, including schools. Towards the goal of this mission, AAI contributed Rs. 200 million during Financial Year 2016-17.

Construction of Old Age Home for under Privileged Women at Mana Camp near S V Airport, Raipur

This newly constructed building is a reinforced concrete framed structure with eight dormitories in four blocks. Each dormitory has 12 beds and cupboards and is equipped with a sound system. Proper mattress, bed sheets, pillows with cover and blankets are provided along with power outlets for individual beds.

Sufficient numbers of toilets have been provided with ceramic floor and wall tiles. There are four garden areas, which are equipped with chairs. The dining hall extends as an entertainment room with LED TV and a sound system.

Future Projects

Moving ahead with consistent efforts to address the issues and expectations of the society, AAI has planned various new initiatives for the year 2017-18. Some of the major CSR proposals are listed below:

Contribution towards green highways
Provision of classes in schools of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat
Cervical cancer testing and follow up camps pan-India
Assistance for liver transplant for underprivileged to ILBS Hospital
Skill development through CIDC and NSDC
Provision of toilets in government schools pan-India
Funding under privileged children for cancer treatment
AAI is taking up major initiatives panIndia for sustainable development
Creating open defecation free villages pan-India
Solid waste disposal in areas near airports
Technology incubator and innovation entered in association with IIT
Provision of cancer detection and other equipment in government hospitals at various places to fill up gap areas
Multipurpose community centres in various places
Holistic upliftment of government schools in Rajasthan, Silora
Setting up of central kitchens at Hazaribagh, Jharkhand and Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Financial support for establishing school in Tihar Jail, New Delhi
Assistance for upgrading service of Pathology Department of Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Silchar, Assam
Financial assistance for purchase of office furnishings (table, chair, computer, etc.) and appliances for the Centre of Excellence in Education, Uttarakhand
Provision of safe drinking water at schools of villages in the surrounding areas of Kishangarh Airport in Ajmer District, Rajasthan