NEW DELHI: The proposal to upgrade the airport in Mysore is all set to cross a major milestone with the State Government and the Airports Authority of India deciding to sign an agreement here on Thursday for the project.

The memorandum of understanding will be signed in the presence of Chief Minister N. Dharam Singh and Union Aviation Minister Praful Patel.

Making the announcement here on Tuesday, Finance Minister P.G.R. Sindhia said work on the project will begin immediately and the airport will be ready in 24 months. Acquisition of land and other preliminary formalities have been completed, he added.

Addressing presspersons, he said that with the work already in full swing on the Bangalore international airport and the airport projects in Hubli, Belgaum, and Mangalore, he and the Chief Minister will urge Mr. Patel to take up airport construction in Hassan and Gulbarga this financial year.

The State Government has already agreed to release Rs. 20 crores each for the two airports. It will seek upgrading of the Mangalore airport as an international airport, Mr. Sindhia said.

Mr. Sindhia, who was here for a meeting of a subcommittee of the National Development Council on agriculture and related issues, said he pressed for additional resources to accelerate the Alamatti irrigation project.

Mr. Sindhia met Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and requested the Centre to provide Rs. 30 crores for the Mandya sugar factory.

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