12. Functions of the Authority.- (1) Subject to the rules, if any, made by the Central Government in this behalf, it shall be the function of the Authority to manage the airports, the civil enclaves and the aeronautical communication stations efficiently.
(2) It shall be the duty of the Authority to provide air traffic service and air transport service at any airport and civil enclaves.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of the provisions contained in sub-sections (1) and (2), the Authority may—
(a) plan, develop, construct and maintain runways, taxiways, aprons and terminals and ancillary buildings at the airports and civil enclaves;
*[(aa) establish airports, or assist in the establishment of private airports, by rendering such technical, financial or other assistance which the Central Government may consider necessary for such purpose;"]
*[Inserted vide Airports Authority of India (Amendment) Act, 2003]
(b) plan, procure, install and maintain navigational aids, communication equipment, beacons and ground aids at the airports and at such locations as may be considered necessary for safe navigation and operation of aircrafts;
(c) provide air safety services and search and rescue, facilities in co-ordination with other agencies;
(d) establish schools or institutions or centres for the training of its officers and employees in regard to any matter connected with the purposes of this Act;
(e) construct residential buildings for its employees;
(f) establish and maintain hotels, restaurants and restrooms at or near the airports;
(g) establish warehouses and cargo complexes at the airports for the storage or processing of goods;
(h) arrange for postal, money exchange, insurance and telephone facilities for the use of passengers and other persons at the airports and civil enclaves;
(i) make appropriate arrangements for watch and ward at the airports and civil enclaves;
(j) regulate and control the plying of vehicles, and the entry and exit of passengers and visitors, in the airports and civil enclaves with due regard to the security and protocol functions of the Government of India;
(k) develop and provide consultancy, construction or management services, and undertake operations in India and abroad in relation to airports, air-navigation services, ground aids and safety services or any facilities thereat;
(l) establish and manage heliports and airstrips;
(m) provide such transport facility as are, in the opinion of the Authority, necessary to the passengers traveling by air;
(n) form one or more companies under the Companies Act, 1956 (1 of 1956) or under any other law relating to companies to further the efficient discharge of the functions imposed on it by this Act;
(o) take all such steps as may be necessary or convenient for, or may be incidental to, the exercise of any power or the discharge of any function conferred or imposed on it by this Act;
(p) perform any other function considered necessary or desirable by the Central Government for ensuring the safe and efficient operation of aircraft to, from and across the air space of India;
(q) establish training institutes and workshops;
(r) any other activity at the airports and the civil enclaves in the best commercial interests of the Authority including cargo handling, setting up of joint ventures for the discharge of any function assigned to the Authority.
(4) In the discharge of its functions under this section, the Authority shall have due regard to the development of air transport service and to the efficiency, economy and safety of such service.
(5) Nothing contained in this section shall be construed as—
(a) authorising the disregard by the Authority of any law for the time being in force; or
(b) authorising any person to institute any proceeding in respect of duty or liability to which the Authority or its officers or other employees would not otherwise be subject.
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