BANGALORE: Adequate connectivity — by road and air — has been a long-time demand for accelerated economic growth and convenient travel. For the first time, the Government has focussed on construction of greenfield mini airports and helipads. It has also allocated more funds for maintenance and upgrading of roads.

B.S. Yediyurappa, in his second budget, has allocated Rs. 50 crore for six mini airports at Hassan, Shimoga, Belgaum, Bijapur, Gulbarga and Bellary and upgrading of existing airports at Mysore, Hubli and Mangalore. An allocation of Rs. 2 crore has also been made towards construction of helipads at 25 places, including district headquarters and places of tourist importance.

`Good beginning'

Commenting on the allocation, G.R. Gopinath, Managing Director of the low-cost airline Air Deccan, told The Hindu it was a good beginning but at least Rs. 16 crore was needed for the construction of a mini airport, excluding the land cost, with basic facilities. With the allocated money, only three airports could be built, he felt.

Allocation for roads

Mr. Yediyurappa has increased allocations towards maintenance and upgrading of roads.

While Rs. 300 crore has been set apart for maintenance of district major roads (Rs. 132.71 crore last year), Rs. 111.8 crore has been allocated for maintenance of major district roads (Rs. 81.16 crore).

Railway projects

Mr. Yediyurappa has earmarked Rs. 158 crore towards the State's share in the construction of road overbridges and railway under bridges.

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