Place proposal before Cabinet to seek fund release for proposed airstrip in Chikkamagaluru: M.B. Patil
The proposed airstrip project in Chikkamagaluru is getting a push as Infrastructure Development Minister M.B. Patil has directed officials to place before the State Cabinet a proposal seeking the release of ₹17.6 crore required for land acquisition for the project
The directive came during a meeting attended by Energy Minister K.J. George who is also the district in-charge Minister for Chikkamagaluru along with senior officials.
Airstrip projects for Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu were announced in the 2023–24 Budget and the airstrip in Chikkamagaluru aims to boost tourism and trade in the region.
The Chikkamagaluru district administration has already provided 137 acres of land for the proposed airstrip, located between Chikkamagaluru and Hiremagaluru. Of this, 120 acres belongs to the government, while the remaining 17.1 are privately owned which needs to be acquired.
'The total acquisition cost is ₹24.6 crore, of which ₹7 crore has already been sanctioned and the remaining ₹17.6 crore is pending,' said Mr. Patil.
The matter was under government consideration, and the Karnataka State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) was directed to release the remaining funds. The proposal has also been forwarded to the Finance Department, and the next step is to bring it before the State Cabinet.
In addition to the airstrip, a heliport has also been planned for development at the site, he said. Mr. Patil also said that infrastructure should be developed with the capacity to handle large aircraft in the future.
Accordingly, officials were directed to identify adjoining land parcels and begin the acquisition process and a team of experts from KSIIDC will be deployed for the task.
On the proposed airstrip in Kodagu, Mr. Patil said that officials have been asked to resolve land acquisition issues at the earliest and to identify suitable land for the project.
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