To boost the tourism sector in the state, the Karnataka government has decided to develop 11 airstrips. These airstrips will be developed at locations where there is no airport. The infrastructure development department (IDD) has identified Davanagere, Bagalkote, Udupi, Madikeri or Kushalanagar, Haveri, Gadag, Karwar, Kollegal, Chikmagalur, Raichur and Chitradurga for developing these airstrips.

The IDD has entrusted the development work to the Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) in Gadag, Chikmagalur, Bagalkote, Udupi and Davanagere. The work in other places has been given to the Infrastructure Development Corporation (Karnataka) Ltd (iDecK), sources added.

iDecK is a 49: 49.5 : 1.5 joint venture between the state government, Infrastructure Development Finance Company Limited (IDFC) and HDFC. The department has also decided to develop airstrips in Yadgir and Koppal, and the work has been given to KHB. While the department of infrastructure development has estimated the cost of each of the 11 airstrips between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore, the KHB has estimated the cost between Rs 32 crore and Rs 35 crore. Since, the difference between the two estimates is very huge, the department is understood to be reconsidering its decision. Instead, it is in the process of drafting a new airport policy, the sources added.

The work is already under progress for building minor airports at Shimoga, Gulbarga, Bijapur and Hassan on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis. The existing airport at Hubli is being upgraded to international standards and 650 acre land is under acquisition for its expansion. The government has released a sum of Rs 245 crore so far for land acquisition. This would be the third international airport after Bangalore and Mangalore airports in the state.

Acquiring and handing over of the additional land of 93 acre required for extension of runway for Belgaum airport is under consideration.


Source: 19. April. 2011, Business Standard.