Yahya Hallare

Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (SP)

Bhatkal, Mar 7: As a result of the state high court serving notices to the state and central governments relating to the practicability of building an environment-friendly greenfield airport here, the fond dream cherished by the people here of being able to fly to different destinations from this seaside town appears to be getting a fresh lease of hope.

Bhatkal's connections with Mumbai, Delhi, Mangaluru and Kochi relating to business dealings have been getting stronger by the day. Over 10,000 people from this region have settled down in places like Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Therefore the town has good contacts with foreign countries too. Bhatkal, the fastest growing town in the district, has a traffic system that is in rudimentary state. Even though Konkan railway tracks pass through this town, the people still prefer buses to go to Bengaluru. Under these circumstances, the fact that Sanjay Revankar from Karwar filed a public interest litigation about the construction of an airport here in the high court through advocate, R G Kolle, and the notice served by the high court after admitting the petition, has given rise to high expectations among the people.

Greenfield airport

The concept of Greenfield airports, initiated by the central government, came into being in 2008. These airports tend to use basic facilities locally available and manage the airport by having construction works that are temporary in nature. The greenfield airports are built not less than 150 km away from the nearest airport. Shamshabad airport in the outskirts of Hyderabad happens to be the first ever Greenfield airport of the country. The central government has introduced 'Udan', a regional connectivity scheme aimed at providing air services to even small and medium size towns. It is not difficult to get facilities under Udan scheme for the proposed airport here.

For an aircraft weighing about 90,718 kg, 1,829 square meters of land would be needed. For bigger size aircraft, 2,438 meters of land would be needed. Taking into account all facilities needed to be provided and space for the airports, runways etc, a large area would be needed to build it.

Bhatkal preference

Bhatkal is preferred destination to have an airport as this is treated as one of the best tourist spots. This place has been attracting people from within the country and abroad. It is located near Gokarna, Murudeshwar, Idagunji, and Kollur. Recently,Netrani scuba diving facility has been added to the tourist attractions. Under these circumstances, Bhatkal rightfully deserves to be considered for building a Greenfield airport.

People of Alageri near Ankola, who had to sacrifice large tracts of land for building navy base, were angry when a proposal to build an airport there was mooted. Later, the state government proposed to build the airport at Muroor near Kumta and 800 acres of land was set aside for the purpose. Many also began the work of developing hotels there, as they were sure that an airport would come up. But it came to light that several encroachers had settled down in the land. Moreover, as the land also covers forest reserve, it is not easy to get clearances. This proposal was assigned to back burner then. A proposal to have airport at Byndoor was examined but testing of soil revealed that it did not suit construction of airport.

Currently, the question that hounds the proposed project is finding enough space for airport near Bhatkal. Many businessmen feel that Muttanaki Maidan of Mundalli hillock is suitable for the airport. They feel that this land suits the airport project as no one lives here. Therefore, this land is proposed to be projected as possible site when trying to convince the court to order for building an airport here.

Advocate for the petitioner, R G Kolle, stresses that this town deserves an airport. He feels that people will find it convenient to travel by air as the fare is less that railway second class air-conditioned compartment. "Construction of airport will provide employment to thousands of people here. Hubballi airport, where two flights initially began to operate, has increased its tally to 36 flights every day. We should take into account the fact that Hubballi is developing fast particularly because of this airport," he stated.