Times News Network

Bangalore, May 4: The Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli might be taking wing, but the state’s tier-II cities do not appear to be so fortunate. The Times of India correspondents found that most plans are still on paper. Only a few, like Hubli, are ready for take off. The Bellary airport that has turned into a dumping yard for iron ore is a clear indicator of the crying need for attention at minor airports.
  
Mysore

The mood was euphoric just before the Dasara festivities in October 2005. Adding to the ‘Naada Habba’ fizz was a MoU that the Karnataka government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had signed for upgradation of the Mysore airport at Mandakalli days before the start of the festivities. Some six months down the line, the euphoria is fizzling out, since the promised ground work is yet to start. Acquisition of a chunk of 20 acres of additional land to extend the runway is mired in legal battle, leading to the delay.
The AAI had sought 174 acres, in addition to the 243 acres available at the project site. Of this, KIADB acquired 154 acres, after which the district administration dashed off a letter to AAI in mid-January asking it to take possession of the land. It is still waiting for a reply.
Mysore MP C H Vijayashankar insists that the legal battle over 20 acres of land will not delay the project. He says he will convince the AAI top brass to begin work when he meets them after May 10. The MP said the AAI has appointed an officer based in Mysore, but the district administration, which is supervising the implementation, has no idea about it.
  
Hubli

Come June, the Hubli Airport will have night landing facilities along with a sophisticated passenger terminal. If everything goes as per plan, a new night flight between Hubli and Mumbai will also take off. The airport here is being upgraded so that bigger aircraft can land and in all probability it will be completed by May.
The airport is being expanded at a cost of Rs 60 lac. Illumination at the airport and widening of runway has already been completed. Presently, only an 18-seater plane, run by Deccan Aviation, operates daily between Hubli and Bangalore.
The AAI has submitted a proposal to the state seeking 390 acres of land, in addition to the existing 357 acres of land. Deputy CM B S Yediyurappa has directed the district administration to go ahead with land acquisition. The complete upgradation of the airport will be significant for the growth of the twin cities, which is considered a strategic airport in north Karnataka.
  
Mangalore

Flights to the Gulf region may fly out from Mangalore by the end of May, but the Bajpe airport will have to wait a couple of years before it acquires ‘international airport’ status. The present terminal can hardly accommodate 150 passengers. A new terminal is being planned beside the existing one, but this will require about 79 acres, which the state has not yet acquired.
Another aspect which may delay the first flight to the Gulf is the immigration counter. State government officials cite the non availability of manpower, as required under the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security guidelines, to handle it.
As of now, the 8046 X 600 runway is ready for large flights, but is yet to be commissioned. About 12 flights operate to and fro. Night landing lights will also be installed within a couple of weeks, following which night flights can land here, provided DGCA gives the nod.
  
Belgaum

The Sambra airport is functional and Air Deccan has been operating two flights a day to Bangalore and Mumbai. The CM has given the assurance that the airport will be named after Rani Chennamma.
The Union civil aviation ministry has sanctioned Rs 14 crore to upgrade the airport and put in place the basic infrastructure. The first phase of upgradation is on. The runway is not long enough for landing/takeoff of Airbus category of planes and additional land is needed for extending it at a cost of Rs 6 crore. Night landing facilities are available, but the passenger lounge and other areas have to be renovated. The security checks, ticket window and waiting lounge are housed in a congested block. There are no eateries inside the airport.