K'taka inks pact with Marg for Rs 200-cr Bijapur airport

The Karnataka government today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with infrastructure development company Marg to develop an airport at the historical town of Bijapur.

The company will invest Rs 200 crore on the project for which the government has agreed to provide 728 acres of land, state Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy said.

Marg Chairman and Managing Director G R K Reddy, who inked the MoU on behalf of his company, said the project would be completed in 24 months.

Initially the airport would cater to airplanes like ATR 72 or ATR 42, he said, adding the state has plans to develop 10 such airports, 13 airstrips and 28 heliports.

The government has also identified 63,000 km of road for development and at least 12,000 km would be developed with private participation, Janardhana said.

Steel giant Arcelor Mittal has already agreed to set up a steel plant in Bijapur or nearby Bagalkot with Rs 30,000 crore investment.

Bijapur, where the famous Gol Gumbaz, an architectural marvel is located, attracts large number of tourists, including foreigners.