MANGALORE: Deputy Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, who arrived at Bajpe airport here on Tuesday on his way from Honnavar to Bangalore, inspected ongoing work on the new runway at the airport.

M.R. Vasudeva, director, Airports Authority of India, Bajpe airport, briefed Mr. Yediyurappa about the work and plans of AAI in developing the airport. Mr. Yediyurappa was accompanied by N. Yogish Bhat, MLA.

The Deputy Chief Minister spent nearly 50 minutes at the airport before boarding a flight to Bangalore, Mr. Vasudeva said.

Mr. Bhat told The Hindu that he requested Mr. Yediyurappa, who also holds the Finance portfolio, to release Rs. 3.2 crore for land acquisition and rehabilitation for the proposed terminal building at the airport. The State Government had already issued a notification for acquisition of land for the proposed building, he added.

Mr. Bhat said that he informed Mr. Yediyurappa that the Government needs to acquire more land to extend the new runway if it had to meet international standards.

Concreting work on the new runway had been completed, he added. Installation of lights and other allied works had to be completed before commission the runway.

However, according to international standards, the new runway is short by 300 metres to enable landing and taking off of large aircraft. A feasibility report could be conducted by the National Institute of Technology - Karnataka (NIT-K), Surathkal, Mr. Bhat added. The State Government should be prepared to provide funds for land acquisition and compensation, he added.

Mr. Bhat said he requested Mr. Yediyurappa to release Rs. 10 crore for completion of work on the road that links the airport with the Software Technology Park. The funds could be granted under the Assistance to States for Development of Infrastructure for Exports Scheme, he added.

When his attention was drawn to the need to have a Sky Bus Project for the city with the assistance of Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd., the Deputy Chief Minister asked Mr. Bhat to direct the district administration to send a proposal on the project to the Government.

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