Karnataka to be an aviation hub

Bangalore: The government is considering a proposal to build small and costeffective greenfield airports to make Karnataka an aviation hub, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday. Speaking at an interaction between captains of aviation industry and the government, the CM said the government has planned to expand the Mangalore, Hubli and Belgaum airports, besides operationalising Mysore and Bellary airports. The government also plans to develop greenfield airports at Hassan, Shimoga, Gulbarga and Bijapur.
The existing defence airports at Karwar and Bidar will be opened for civilian operations soon. Infrastructure secretary V P Baligar added that the defence ministry has okayed the state request to permit civilian operations. The CM has now written to the civil aviation minister to build terminal buildings at these two airports Baligar said the Bidar airport requires only a terminal building since the Air Force station has adequate runways whereas Karwar airport, which is used by the Navy, a separate runway has to be built.
He said the government is in the process of sorting out issues raised by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Mysore airport expansion.
20/12/06 Times of India

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