Karnataka aka aviation hub

Karnataka aka aviation hub
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

20 Dec, 2006 0213hrs IST

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. The airport requires 20 acres of land for the terminal building and a case in this regard is pending in the court. AAI regional executive director Ramalingam also sought 93 acres of land for expanding the runway.

As for the Hubli airport, the masterplan prepared by the AAI envisages either acquiring 400 or 650 acres of land. The intention is to make Hubli an international airport for which 650 acres will be required. For the Belgaum airport, money has already been released to acquire 370 acres of land.

For Hassan and Gulbarga, 474 acres of land has been allocated in Hassan and 567 acres of land in Gulbarga. The government has earmarked Rs 20 crore each to build the two airports. Air Deccan has agreed to operate flights to these destinations, Baligar said.

As for the Shimoga airport, the government has identified about 1,000 acres of land. The government wants to develop Bijapur as an important tourist destination and has identified 1,000 acres of land. Jet Airways GM (South) U Shenoy said the airline is ready to operate if appropriate infrastructure is provided at the new airports. Air Deccan head, corporate planning, R Krishnaswamy said his airline has given a commitment to help the government build greenfield airports. Developing Karwar airport could also bring international charters.

Govt okays HDMC land for IT firms

Govt okays HDMC land for IT firms
M L Kapur - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

20 Dec, 2006 2333hrs IST

HUBLI: At long last, there is a ray of hope for small and medium IT/ITeS players planning to set up shop in Hubli. The state government has given the green signal for allotment of 50 acres of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation's land at Rayapur to the industry.

The proposal for allotment of land between Hubli and Dharwad was sent by HDMC to the state government for approval some time in July, but the inordinate delay of five months in taking a decision has led to withdrawal by big players like TCS and Quest.

Revenue and district in-charge minister Jagdish Shettar told The Times of India on Wednesday that the urban development and finance departments had raised basic objections to the HDMC's proposal saying that the land cannot be allotted to IT/ITeS at subsidised rates.

They pointed out that as per rules, if the corporation land has to be alienated, it is only through open action and not by allotment.

Or else, only the government can waive this condition and clear the proposal as a special case. Shettar said: "The chief minister cleared the file last week. The cabinet will ratify the government's decision at its next meeting. It is only a formality. The entire land will be allotted to IT/ITeS companies recommended by a committee constituted for the purpose by the HDMC."

The HDMC had sent the proposal in pursuance of the council's resolution adopted in the wake of the Hubli IT Investors' Meet held here in May. Later, the proposed Karnataka Law University, expected to become functional from the next academic session, also staked claim for the same land.

Initially, HDMC's IT land allotment committee had recommended 25 acres of land each to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Quest.

But TCS declined the offer saying its requirement was 50 acres, and that too in an IT-specific SEZ. Quest also backed out after waiting for five months. HDMC later recommended the land declined by TCS to some other IT/ITeS firms.

The better-known among them are Bangalore-based electronics software design company Sankalp Semiconductors, and NS Infotech, a BPO start-up operating from Hubli.

`Hubli airport will be upgraded if State provides more land'

`Hubli airport will be upgraded if State provides more land'
The Hindu - Special Correspondent

An additional 650 acres of land is needed for the purpose: AAI

BANGALORE: In a boost to the State's civil aviation infrastructure, the Airports Authority of India has expressed willingness to upgrade the facilities at the Hubli airport to meet international standards if an additional 650 acres of land is provided by the State.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of airline operators here on Tuesday, AAI Southern Regional Executive Director K. Ramalingam said the State had requested the AAI to upgrade the Hubli airport to meet international standards.

The meeting was held to apprise the operators of the initiatives taken by the State Government in building civil aviation infrastructure and to invite suggestions from them.

It was possible to upgrade the facilities only if additional land was provided. Also, permission had to be obtained by the Union Government, he said.

Night-landing facilities


At present, the AAI was providing night-landing facilities at the Hubli airport and preparing a master plan for development of the terminal building and extension of runway, Mr. Ramalingam said.

Infrastructure Development Principal Secretary V.P. Baligar told reporters that the Government was willing to acquire additional land. However, the actual process of upgrading might take some time. But the land would be acquired now itself to ensure that there were no obstacles for upgrading the domestic airport. The issue would soon be brought up before the State Cabinet, he said.

Earlier, addressing airline operators, the Chief Minister said that the State had taken up the matter with the Union Ministry of Defence to allow defence airports at Karwar and Bidar to be used for civilian operations.

The Government had decided to develop airports in tourist destinations and trade centres.

It would also upgrade the airports at Mangalore, Hubli and Belgaum besides operationalising the Mysore and Bellary airports, Mr. Baligar said.

Mr. Baligar said that while the Defence Ministry had agreed to open up Bidar airport for civilian operations, certain conditions such as acquiring of land for construction of a separate runway had been laid for allowing civilian operations at the Karwar airport. Dr. Ramalingam said there was no proper transport connectivity between the airport and the city centre in some cities such as Mangalore and Hubli as the airports were located on the outskirts. He suggested that the State Government take up a special plan to provide transport arrangements between the airports and the city.

He also expressed concern that escalation in the prices of construction materials such as cement, steel, sand and bitumen was coming in the way of speedy completion of airport projects.

Functional airports


Tourism and Kannada and Culture Secretary I.M. Vittal Murthy said that steps should be taken to construct "functional airports" at tourist destinations such as Bijapur instead of waiting for the acquiring of the total extent of land required.

Now, uniform & march past for HDMC staff

Now, uniform & march past for HDMC staff
Source: HDMC website


Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation, which is numero uno in the state and country on many fronts has once again created a record of sorts. On every Monday all staff members of the corporation, excluding Group "D' staff, will take part in march past compulsorily at Nehru Stadium in Hubli and Kadapa Maidan in Dharwad.

Infact, the HDMC is perhaps, the first corporation in the state to introduce uniform for it staff members including the commissioner. The idea of having march past for the corporation staff was mooted by Mr.Manivannan, commissioner of HDMC and the first parade was held at Nehru Stadium in Hubli.The purpose of march past was to inculcate a sense of discipline and overall personality development. The staff members have to do a march past on every Monday with the flag between 9:30 am and 10 am .

Their programme begins with the corporation song composed by Mr Pawar, assistant commissioner of Zone Number 10, followed by Nada Geeta. On rotation every assistant' commissioner and executive engineer have to address staff members for about 10-15 minutes. The corporation commissioner will give a detailed account of plan of action for the next week. Hitherto, it used to take at least one week for every staff member to access circulars issued by various departments. Hence forth, the contents of the circular would be explained to staff members and this would remove communication gap in HDMC official-dom. Following request made by the employees, there will be light refreshments for staff members.

According to Mr Manivannan, the HDMC is the first corporation in the entire state to make uniform compulsory for its staff members except 'Group-D' only with the intention of inculcating discipline.

Identification easy

Earlier, all and sundry would roam in the corporation premises making it very difficult for them to identify HDMC employees. Uniform has been introduced for all staff, including the commissioner, to address this problem. Hence­forth, they must come to office tip top in uniform.

In the weekly roll call parade they would practice march past and take part in march past along with other contingents on January 26. While the commissioner would address the employees in Hubli; Joint commissioner would do the same in Dharwad. In fact, the corporation employees are very happy with the new agenda as it would re-energise them.

"Some kind of physical exercise is important for everybody and the weekly march past and roll call parade will definitely help them keep neat and fit," Manivannan said.

"I did not know whether the HDMC is the first corporation in the state or country to introduce uniform and weekly roll call parade for its staff members. But all these measures are aimed at improving the efficiency of the staff," he noted.