Kannur airport posing a threat to new airport between Udupi - Mangalore?
- Feasibility test and location inspection for construction of a new airport between Udupi and Mangaluru on the anvil.
- Expansion of Mangalore International airport under Public-Private participation not possible rules a report by a private agency.
- Expansion of existing Mangalore airport requires a budget of Rs 1120 crore and 286 acres land for runway.
- Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the construction of international airport at Kannur in Kerala
FollowA study will be undertaken to determine the feasibility and location hunt for the construction of a new airport between Udupi and Mangalore, said Minister for Large and Medium Industries, R V Deshpande.
He was speaking in reply to a query by Ganesh Karthik of BJP at the Assembly Session on Friday. The Airport Authority of India has not given any definite assurance about financing the expansion of existing Mangalore International Airport. Also the private organisation, has conducted a survey and reported that the expansion of existing Mangalore International airport it is not feasible under the private-public partnership in the PPP model, Deshpande informed the Assembly. In this context the State government will undertake a feasibility study, he said.
Talks are held between State government and AAI with regard to expansion of Mangalore International airport. The AAI has sought the role of State government in upgrading and expanding the Mangalore airport.
It must be recalled that, though the Mangalore airport is under AAI, the State government has spent funds to the extent of Rs 68.92 crore for land development, rehabilitation and rerouting. It has also acquired the land for the proposed new terminal. The State government is now asking the AAI to take charge of the rest of the expenses for the expansion.
As per the report submitted by the Director MIA, the estimated budget is Rs 1120 crores. AAI has not confirmed it's part of the expenses. For runway expansion 286 acres of land is required and land filling near the airport is estimated at Rs 800 crore. The estimated time period for completion is 8 years, explained Deshpande.
In the light of AAI not confirming its part of the finance, the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sought a report of possibility of PPP. Isaac had conducted a study in this regard and reported that it is not feasible.
Meanwhile, Ivan D’Souza of Congress said that preparations are underway for the construction of an international airport at Kannur in Kerala and once it becomes operational, there is a possibility of air traffic to Mangalore and surrounding areas getting diverted to Kannur. In such a case there is danger of Mangalore airport serving only for travel between Mangalore and Bengaluru.
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