Hubli airport upgrading awaits Centre’s nod

Hubli airport upgrading awaits Centre’s nod
Newindpress.com
Sunday February 12 2006 12:34 IST

HUBLI: The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has devised a master plan for the upgrading of Hubli airport, said M S Srikar, Deputy Commissioner.

The master plan is Centre’s awaiting Centre’s approval. Once that is got Rs 2 crore would be released by KIADB for the development of Hubli airport, he added.

Elaborating on the steps taken for the development of the airport to MP Prahlad Joshi, during the inspection of works being taken up for the upgrading of Hubli airport at a cost of Rs 11.35 crore on Friday, he appealed to the MP to exert pressure on the Central government to give the nod for the master plan.

DC Srikar said the process of acquisition of 175 acres of land around Hubli airport would be taken up immediately after the release of Rs 2 crore.

During the inspection of works, officials of AAI confirmed that works on extension of the airport lounge, upgrading of runway and installation of signal lights for night landing were in progress. All these works were expected to be completed by March-end, they said.

He said though Deccan Airways operated a daily flight from Hubli to Bangalore, it was not sufficient to meet the growing needs of people of the region and demanded one more flight.

Though Deccan Airways was keen to start its services from Hubli in the night, it was not possible due to lack of adequate lights.

The Central government should be pressurised to convince other private airways to start air services from Hubli, he said. Joshi expressed displeasure over his not being invited to attend airport development meetings convened by the district administration.

He promised to hold talks with Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy and Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa about the master plan devised by AAI and to take measures to bring pressure on the Centre to give it’s approval for the plan.

He also promised to discuss the issue of upgrading of Hubli airport with the Union Civil Aviation Minister during the parliamentary session scheduled to start from February 16.

Former MLA Ashok Katwe, councillor Ranga Baddi, Nagaraj Bakale, Umesh Joshi and others were present.