'Hurt' IT guru quits airport job

By Sunil Raman
BBC News, Bangalore

Mr Murthy said he had done an "enormous amount of work"

The founder of global software giant Infosys has quit as head of an airport project in southern India after criticism of his role.

NR Narayana Murthy stepped down as chairman of the consortium building a new international airport in Bangalore.

He said he was hurt by criticism from ex-premier HD Deve Gowda that he had done little to get the project cleared.

Work has started on the airport but it will be another three years before it is ready for use.

Jobs questioned

Mr Murthy said: "I have spent an enormous amount of time and energy interacting with the government in Delhi and in Karnataka to make this work."

"The records prove themselves."

The current Bangalore airport has poor international facilities

He said Mr Gowda, who heads Janata Dal (S), a coalition partner in Karnataka's government, was a constant opponent of IT firms in the state.

Last week Mr Gowda asked the state government to set up an inquiry into land allotment for IT companies near the airport.

Mr Gowda named Infosys as one of the companies that had been allotted government land at low cost.

He has also questioned the jobs IT firms have brought to the state.

The consortium, Bangalore International Airport, is overseeing a new airport at Devenhalli. It took seven years to begin construction.

At present airlines have to make do with poor facilities at the international wing of the domestic airport.

There is just one X-ray machine to screen baggage.

Next month three more international airlines, British Airways, Air France and Northwest Airlines will start direct flights from Bangalore.