The minister will discuss about developing the airport, expansion of which has been facing hurdles, causing delays in the execution of phase II of the airport project.
His visit to the tourist city of Mysore follows the discussions Mysore-Kodagu Member of Parliament Pratap Simha had with Siddeshwara on the need to develop the airport. Simha met the minister a couple of times in New Delhi and impressed upon him on the issue.
Also Read
The Mysore airport has been developed for operating smaller aircraft. However, any further expansion for bigger planes to land has been delayed in view of the Mysore-Nanjangud highway coming in the way and needing its realignment.
Though the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has provided the funds required for implementing the Phase II of expansion, the stretch of NH 212 needs to be aligned to execute the project and AAI has made it clear that the expansion cannot take place without realigning the road. The runway needs to be expanded from 1,780 metres to 3,400 metres, but at present the highway cuts across this land.
About two months ago, Karnataka’s Infrastructure Development Minister Roshan Baig had reiterated the state government’s decision to acquire 84 acres of additional land. The expansion of the Mysore airport was needed in the background of the city’s future growth and tourism potential, he had said.