Mysuru, Bidar and Ballari to be put on air map next month

The regional air connectivity scheme, which offers discounted air tickets, will commence at three airports in Karnataka — Bidar, Mysuru and Vidyanagar (Ballari) — next month.

Under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS), the Central government has
ide­ntified 19 airports in the state for development and upgrade.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Karnataka government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday to develop these airports and give effect to Udan (Ude Desh Ka Aam Naagrik) with features that include helping the common man fly at affordable rates, promoting tourism and encouraging regional growth.

Under the scheme, fares will be capped at Rs 2,500 for half of the seats in one-hour flights.

The MoU was inked by Karnataka Chief Secretary Subhash Chandra Khuntia and Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey in the presence of Industries Minister R V Deshpande.

The locations proposed for the RCS scheme are Chikkamagaluru, Kushalnagar, Karwar, Harihar, Ammasandra (Tumakuru district), Ballari, Koppal, Bengaluru, Vidyanagar (Toranagal), Bidar, Ginigera, Hassan, Jakkur, Kolar, Mysuru, Raichur, Shahabad, Yadgir and Yelahanka.

The state government has also proposed to provide rail or Metro connectivity to RCS airports in coordination with the Centre.

Choubey said Bidar and Vidyanagar airports would provide connectivity to Bengaluru (Kempegowda International Airport) while the Mysuru airport would link Chennai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will officially launch the scheme across the country on April 27.