PM to open new Intl airport

The new Bangalore International Airport, coming up near Devanahalli, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on March 28.

Governor Rameshwar Thakur told reporters on Friday after the executive committee meeting that work on the airport was nearing completion. "The trial runs will commence within a month," he added.

He pointed out that the state had speeded up work on widening the Bellary Road stretch between High Grounds and Hebbal Lake flyover to ensure a smooth movement of vehicles to the new airport.

The state has proposed to build a high speed railway connecting the airport to the city. "The project is under evaluation by the defence authorities since the railway line passes through their property," he pointed out.

The access road connecting the airport to the national highway is still not complete as work on the trumpet interchange has been held up due to legal problems.

The executive committee discussed the issue to find a solution at the earliest. The Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) is a private Indian airport operator that will design, build, own and operate the first greenfield private sector-owned and operated airport in India.

Private promoters hold a 74 per cent stake in BIAL while the state holds 26 per cent.