The Hindu : Krishna fulfils promise on Mandakalli airstrip

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Feb 06, 2004

Karnataka

Karnataka - Mysore

Krishna fulfils promise on Mandakalli airstrip

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, FEB. 5. The budgetary allocation of Rs. five crore to upgrade the Mandakalli airstrip in Mysore announced by the Chief Minister, S.M. Krishna, today is seen as the Government's commitment to expedite work on the long-pending project.

The Chief Minister promised that the airstrip would be ready by 2004 Dasara during his recent visit to Mandya.

The proposal is to expand the airstrip and upgrade it to facilitate smaller aircraft to ferry corporates and tourists to Mysore from other parts of the country.

The Chief Minister had also stated that Deccan Aviations was keen on starting launching its services to Mysore provided the Government promised it of adequate load. Hence, the Government issued an order making officials of the rank of tahsildar and above eligible to fly. Likewise, the corporate world too had pressured the Government to expedite the work on the airstrip. They included Infosys which has a leadership training institute campus in the city.

Though Rs. five crore is a small amount for an airport, it should be viewed in proper perspective as creating facilities to enable small aircraft and commence operations on a modest scale do not require a huge amount.

Further, a matching grant is expected from the Centre, which may enable the flights to operate from Mysore by October. If completed, it will be the fulfilment of one of the cherished dreams of the people of the region as air-linking Mysore with Bangalore and other cities will help the growth of the region. Besides, a four-lane highway between Mysore and Bangalore and doubling the railway track between the two cities for which the Government has agreed in principle to meet 50 per cent of the cost will go a long way in boosting the economy of the region.

The budgetary allocation for the airport development is also significant because work on extending the existing runway is expected to start soon. The air link facility to Mysore is expected to give a major thrust to IT and the tourism industry while the four-lane highway and a double-line railway track may help Mysore emerge as an alternative to Bangalore for investors.

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