• Karnataka Minister of Infrastructure Development V. Somanna announced this at a consultative meeting
• The Minister also said Shivamogga Airport to be ready by December
• Aviation – led growth to foster Karnataka’s Development – A State-level Consultative Workshop organised to formulate a comprehensive Civil Aviation policy for Karnataka
Bengaluru, NFAPost: With an objective to set ground and take-off on aviation led growth, boost the economy of the state and tourism with better connectivity, we are planning to develop 9 water aerodromes in the state said Karnataka Minister of Infrastructure Development V. Somanna .
Speaking at the inaugural of the State level Consultative Workshop to formulate a Comprehensive Civil Aviation Policy for Karnataka, Minister of Infrastructure Development V. Somanna said potential locations for the development of water aerodromes have been identified at Kali river, Byndur, Malpe, Mangalore, Tungabhadra, KRS, Linganamakki, Alamatti, and Hidkal reservoirs.
The State level Consultative Workshop was organised by Infrastructure Development, Ports & Inland Water Transport Department, Karnataka State Industrial Development Corporation Limited and Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India at Hotel JW Marriot here.
“A robust policy would provide a boost to the economy of the state and various sectors – industries, horticulture and export of agricultural products, tourism, emergency medical services, and educational and technological development,” said Minister of Infrastructure Development V Somanna.
He also pointed out that currently, the development works of airports in the Shivamogga, Vijayapura, and Hassan districts are in progress. He also said it is expected to be completed and become operational soon.
“Measures are being taken to acquire around 240 acres of land and hand it over to the Airports Authority of India for a runway extension and airport up-gradation of Mysore Airport. Apart from this, airports have been developed in Kalaburagi and Bidar districts earlier and more routes are being explored for viability,” said Minister of Infrastructure Development V Somanna.
Further, Minister of Infrastructure Development V Somanna said the state is checking the feasibility and working on a detailed project report for setting up heliports at Madikeri, Chikmagalur, and Hampi.
Airports in Mysore, Hubli, Vidyanagar (Tornagallu), Belagavi, Kalaburugi, and Bidar operating under Central Government’s regional connectivity scheme-UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagarik) are being provided 20 percent Viability Gap Funding by the State Government to the airlines operating under the Udaan Scheme. The fire services and airport security services are being borne by the state government.
Karnataka – First state to curate workshop
Highlighting the need for a Civil Aviation Policy, Usha Padhee, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India, said “Karnataka is the first state to come up with a consultative workshop to formulate civil aviation policy in a comprehensive manner. The Centre will extend all possible support for the state aviation projects ”
Karnataka Additional Chief Secretary, Infrastructure Development, Ports, & Inland Water Transport Gaurav Gupta said Karnataka aspires for an aviation growth and has been a leader in civil aviation.
“I am glad that Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, developed through a public-private partnership, has gained global recognition. This is a sector that needs the involvement of PPP the most. Hence it is necessary to formulate a dynamic and comprehensive policy for the all-around development of the state,” Gaurav Gupta.
The suggestions and feedback received from this workshop will help shape our policy he added.
Ms. Vandita Sharma, Chief Secretary, GoK, Dr. E.V. Ramana Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce and Industries Department, Dr. Shalini Rajneesh, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Planning, Programme and Statistics, Ms. Hephsiba Rani Korlapati, Joint Secretary, Infrastructure Development , Ports & Inland Water Transport Department , Shailendra Beldale, Chairman, Karnataka State Industries and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited , Dr. M.R. Ravi, MD, KSIIDC, Manoj Mehta, Director, FICCI, Simran Singh Tiwana, Star Air CEO , Varun Dwivedi,Indigo Regional Manager, Vinay Dubey,Founder and CEO ,Akash Air , Ganesh Kumar, Head, Vistara Corporation Bangalore Airport Services, Suvendu Choudhury, Managing Director, International Operations, FedEX Express, Ullas Kamath, Chairman FICCI , Karnataka State Council, KIAL officials Satyaki Raghunath, Ravin Pinto, P. Parameswaran, Bluedart CFO , and others participated.
