Going by the number of passengers, there is an increase in the passenger flow when compared to last year. “While 7.75 lakh passengers travelled by air last year, the number of passengers has gone up to 8.25 lakh passengers this year,” he said adding that there is a steep increase in the number of air passengers travelling from Mangalore.

Giving the break up, he said while 71,234 passengers travelled in January 2010, 72,231 passengers travelled in 2011. Similarly, 59,559 passengers and 62,905 passengers travelled in February and March 2010 respectively while the number of passengers in the corresponding month in 2011 was 61,144 and 65,520, which indicates that there is steady increase in the number of air passengers travelling from Mangalore.

Order being implemented

Stating that the directive by Court of Inquiry to strengthen RESA (Runway End Safety Area) is being implemented, Vasudeva said the work has been awarded and is being implemented at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore. “Though the work is scheduled to be completed by August 31, it may get over two months ahead of schedule,” he said.

The CoI’s another directive to erect ‘go markers’ too is being implemented, he said.
To a query on the proposal of Union Civil Aviation former minister Praful Patel to extend the runway to 9,500 feet from the existing 8,038 feet, Vasudeva said that so far there is no move from the authorities concerned. To another query, he said that it may require about Rs 300 crore to extend the runway, that is, to fill the valley on either side, which is at an average depth of 45 metres.