Karnataka govt prefers two airports in Bangalore

Speaking to reporters here on the sidelines of the Fourth India Innovation Summit -2008 organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, IT/BT minister Katta Subramanya Naidu said: "The industry wants two airports for Bangalore and we think it is feasible to operate the old HAL airport and the new Bangalore Internationa Airport (BIA) simultaneously. While short-haul flights can operate from the HAL airport, international flights can be handled by BIA. The Union government should intervene and suggest HAL and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) to have a dialogue on the issue."

The HAL airport was closed down on May 23 following the inauguration of the BIA in the outskirts of the city. Though the industry captains opposed the closure citing underestimation of capacity utilisation at the new airport and lack of proper connectivity to it, the project promoter --- BIAL --- refused stating that such a move will prevent the new airport from becoming an aviation hub. The government, which holds 26 per cent stake in the project, had also chosen to toe the BIAL's line.

But the Yeddyurappa government, which held a series of discussions with the industry players over the last fortnight, has chosen to dance to the industry's tunes. "There are many cities that have two airports. There is nothing wrong in retaining the old airport in Bangalore," Naidu said. On the BIA concession agreement that prohibits operation of any airport within 150 kms radius of the new airport, Naidu said: "There is scope for dialogue at every moment." He urged Union civil aviation minister Praful Patel to interact with all the stakeholders and work out an amicable solution at the earliest. Incidentally, the ministry had earlier told the Karnataka High Court that it would take a decision on retaining the HAL airport after making a capacity assessment of the BIA.

Naidu said assured the industry that his government was committed to address all the infrastructural inadequacies confronting the state, particularly Bangalore. He, however, bought time to achieve it. "Give us a year's time, we will give a facelift to Bangalore city besides improving connectivity to tier II and III cities," Naidu said.