Bengaluru/New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI) Karnataka Minister for Infrastructure Development M B Patil on Thursday met Union Civil Aviation Minister K Ramamohan Naidu and pressed for key demands from the state, including finalising the location for Bengaluru’s second international airport.
He also sought approval for the inauguration of the Vijayapura airport and urged the Centre to upgrade the Hubballi and Belagavi airports to international status.
Patil, who is in New Delhi, informed the Union Minister that an expert team from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had already inspected three shortlisted sites for the proposed second international airport in Bengaluru, and their report is awaited, his office said in a statement.
Once finalised, it would enable the state government to proceed with the necessary follow-up works, he said.
Underscoring the importance of the Hubballi and Belagavi airports, the Minister said they have to be upgraded to international status in light of the regional development and the need to enhance air connectivity for North Karnataka, South Maharashtra, and Goa.
Noting that both airports are being equipped with terminals capable of handling 2,400 passengers per hour and can accommodate AB320 and A321 class aircraft, respectively, he said they are also equipped with night landing facilities and dedicated cargo terminals.
According to Patil, Belagavi, apart from being a defence location, is a well-known educational hub attracting international students. Hubballi-Dharwad is rapidly emerging as an industrial corridor. Granting international status to these airports would support comprehensive growth in the North Karnataka region and foster expansion in sectors such as e-commerce and logistics.
Regarding the Vijayapura airport, the Minister noted that the project is ready for launch, with only clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment pending.
During the meeting, the development of the Mysuru, Shivamogga, Hassan, Karwar, and Raichur airports was also discussed in detail.
Patil also appealed for Karnataka to be treated as an active stakeholder in the airport asset monetisation programme, and called for a more equitable and participatory model, which he said would recognise the state’s significant contributions and also ensure the long-term sustainability of airport infrastructure development.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is currently undertaking airport asset monetisation through public-private partnerships, including the proposed privatisation of 13 airports, such as Hubballi, he said. However, despite Karnataka’s key role in land acquisition, infrastructure development, and operational facilitation, it has not been granted stakeholder status in the monetisation framework.
He further explained that the state has made major financial commitments—over Rs 319 crore for the runway expansion at Mysuru airport, an additional Rs 101.81 crore for associated infrastructure facilities, and nearly Rs 450 crore for the acquisition of over 600 acres for the Hubballi airport.
Kalaburagi airport, entirely developed by the state government and later handed over to the AAI, currently generates no revenue or equity participation for the state, he added. PTI KSU ROH
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