Mangaluru, Nov 3: Health Minister UT Khader and Dakshina Kannada district in-charge minister B Ramanath Rai have said there is a need to speed up works towards extending the present runway at Mangaluru International Airport to accommodate wide-bodied jets.
Participating at quarterly KDP review meeting in the city on Monday the duo assured that issued would be raised at a scheduled meeting with chief minister Siddaramaiah to be held on November 13 at Bengaluru. CM has given an appointment to the elected representatives from Dakshina Kannada on that day to discuss and find out solutions to various issues pertaining to district.
Mr Khader said that the project would need at least Rs 1,000 crore for the proposed extension of runway entailed filling up a valley, and ensuring proper embankment to ensure its stability.
The issue was in fact raised by Mangaluru City North MLA B A Mohiuddin Bawa, who expressed concern over the delays in proposal to extend the runway. Mr Khader echoed Mr Bava's sentiments on the need to take up this project expeditiously for the simple reason that Kannur in Kerala, closer to MIA too was going full steam ahead in developing an international airport there.
Bharat Lal Meena, district in-charge secretary said he had already taken up the case with his counterpart in the infrastructure development department. Observing there could be no takers to take up this project on a PPP mode, Meena said it is best that the state acquire the land and allow AAI to develop the runway.
Dr Ashok D R, assistant commissioner, Mangalore sub-division said a 4/1 proposal has been drawn up to acquire 185 acres of land as against 285 acres sought by AAI for the project at an estimated cost of Rs 121 crore, with Rs 115 crore for land acquisition and the rest for rehabilitating the land losers. He said the revenue department had proposed land value cost that was four times the rates fixed by the sub-registrar for the area in question.
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