Infrastructure Development Minister M B Patil on Thursday instructed officials to submit a proposal before the state cabinet seeking ₹17.6 crore for land acquisition to construct an airstrip in Chikkamagaluru. This proposal follows the 2023–24 state budget announcement that included new airstrips for both Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu.
During a meeting with department officials, attended by Chikkamagaluru In-charge Minister K J George, Patil emphasized the urgency of advancing the project. The Chikkamagaluru district administration has already earmarked 137 acres for the airstrip—120 acres of which are government-owned, while the remaining 17.1 acres are privately held and require acquisition.
Of the ₹24.6 crore total estimated cost for acquisition, ₹7 crore has already been sanctioned. Patil said the Karnataka State Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) has been directed to release the remaining ₹17.6 crore, and the proposal has been forwarded to the Finance Department for clearance before cabinet review.
Patil also revealed that a heliport is planned at the same site. He emphasized that the infrastructure must be developed to accommodate large aircraft in the future, ensuring long-term viability.
The minister directed officials to identify and secure adjacent land parcels to allow for potential expansion. A KSIIDC expert team will be deployed for this purpose.
Regarding the Kodagu airstrip, Patil stated that land identification and acquisition hurdles must be resolved promptly, with suitable sites to be finalized soon.
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