From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bangalore, Aug 28: Karnataka has urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to provide direct air-link to neighbouring Goa from different airports in the State.

The State government has sought air connectivity to Goa from Belgaum, Mysore and Toranagallu in Bellary district, to start with, to give a boost to tourism, Karnataka’s Higher Education Minister R V Deshpande, who is also in charge of tourism, told reporters in Bangalore on Tuesday.

``We have already written to the Union Civil Aviation Ministry but there was no reply from the ministry so far,” he said.

Deshapnde said ``We will convince private air operators to run flights from Mysore, Belgaum and Toranagallu at least thrice a week.”

Spicejet Airlines has been operating flights to Mysore three days in a week, he said pointing out that they would be requested to run special flights during the ensuing ten-day dasara festival in Mysore.

Deshpande said the State Transport Department has agreed to give tax concession to tourist vehicles of other States for 30 days instead of the existing 15 days during Dasara festivities as part of the drive to encourage more tourists from other States to visit Mysore.