Everyone agrees that better air connectivity in the state is key to its development. But in its hurry to open new airports across Karnataka, the government did not spend enough time coming out with an airport policy, which could provide it the neccessary framework and guidance.
It soon became clear that it had not thought through things when the multiple PPP projects got underway. Both the state and the private parties involved realised the projects were not economically viable and many of the airports planned came up against one hurdle or the other, holding up their operations.
Take the Gulbarga and Shimoga airports, which were scheduled for commercial operations in 2012. With the stakeholders squabbling over finances they are no closer to opening even now.
The Hassan airport, meanwhile, is struggling with land acquisition issues and in Bijapur, the private party involved in the airport project, is demanding an additional 1,000 acres besides the 727 acres already acquired to make it viable.
The plan to establish an airport in Bellary in private partnership has also not taken take off and now the Prime Minister has included it among the eight greenfield airports to be built under PPP basis. The contracts will be awarded this year. Besides these airports, the state has also proposed development of 11 airstrips.
Read News In Full 18/09/13 Deccan Chronicle
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