Karnataka Cabinet nod for additional ₹271 crore will facilitate Airbus-320 operations at Vijayapura airport: M.B. Patil
By The Hindu Bureau
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Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil said on Friday said that the additional allocation of ₹270.83 crore for the Vijayapura Greenfield Airport will facilitate operations of Airbus-320 type aircraft, night landing facilities, and other related infrastructure. With this additional allocation, the airport’s total development cost has risen to ₹618.75 crore.
Mr. Patil, who is also the Vijayapura district in-charge Minister, said that the cost escalation was due to modifying the original design — intended only for ATR aircraft operations — to also accommodate Airbus-320 aircraft.
He said that from the latest allocation of funds, ₹65 crore has been earmarked for night-landing works, paved shoulders on both sides of the runway, and compensation for land acquisition.
“Another ₹52 crore will go towards developing an approach road linking Vijayapura Airport with National Highway-50. In addition, ₹25 crore will be used to procure two Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting vehicles along with equipment.
Further ₹2.76 crore has been set aside for Baggage Detection System equipment and ₹13.09 crore for the procurement and installation of Doppler VHF Omni-Directional Range equipment. “These requirements, though essential, were not included in the original project approval,” Mr. Patil said.
He added that the airport project is being periodically reviewed by the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India.
“Their recommendations are being implemented in line with prescribed standards. To secure funding for the additional facilities, a revised proposal was submitted as early as February this year to the State-level Technical Advisory and Estimates Committee. After its approval, the proposal was placed before the cabinet,” Mr. Patil said.
He added that the airport is being developed with a long-term vision, considering the industrial, economic, educational, and tourism prospects of Vijayapura and neighbouring districts. “Once operational, the airport will serve as a vital link between Karnataka and North India,” he said.
