Finalise location for B'luru's second airport, Patil urges Centre

New Delhi: Minister for Heavy Industries and Infrastructure Development M B Patil on Thursday requested Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ramamohan Naidu to expedite the process of finalising the location for Bengaluru’s second international airport.

Patil, who called on the minister here, urged the Centre to upgrade the Hubballi and Belagavi airports to international status and give approval for the inauguration of the Vijayapura airport.

The minister informed Naidu that an expert team from the Airports Authority of India had visited the three shortlisted sites for Bengaluru’s second international airport and its report was awaited. Once finalised, this would enable the state government to proceed with the necessary follow-up works, the minister said.

Regarding the Vijayapura airport, the minister said the project was ready for launch, with only clearance from the union ministry of environment pending.

Patil emphasised the need to upgrade Hubballi and Belagavi airports to international status in view of the region’s development and to boost connectivity to North Karnataka, South Maharashtra and Goa. Both airports are being equipped with terminals capable of handling 2,400 passengers per hour and accommodate AB320 and A321 class aircraft, respectively.

They are also equipped with night landing facilities and dedicated cargo terminals, Patil said.