Vijayapura: Asserting that the BJP government is committed for building an airport in Vijayapura to allow bigger airplanes such as Airbus 320, Water Resources Minister, Govind Karjol said that permission will be taken from the government for the extension of the project.
Addressing media persons during his visit to inspect the ongoing works of Airport at Burnapur village of the Taluk on Thursday September 2, he said that he would meet Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai in this regard to take required permission for the ambitious project.
“I have already raised the matter before the CM and he has given a positive response. In coming days also, I am confident that he will provide required funds for the extension of the project. Earlier, we had the plan to build an airport for smaller airlines such as ATR 72, but now we wish to upgrade it to accommodate bigger flights”, said Karjol.
He informed that the tender has been called for two phases of the project, first phase is for the development of the runway and second is building terminal building. The government has allocated Rs. 220 crore for the project. “But since the plan was changed, the total cost is now estimated at Rs. 323 crore. Therefore, we need additional funds,” he said.
“ 80 per cent work of the first phase has been completed and the tender was called for the second phase, but since only one bidder participated, the tender was cancelled. The second tender has been called and it will be opened on September 19. Hopefully, we will get a desired contractor for the project”, the Minister said.
He stated that in order to extend the project and allow big planes to use the airport, the runway would have to be extended. He said that a 2.6 km long runway is required for smaller planes, while a 3.6 km runway is required for larger planes. “For this we require additional funds. I’m confident that the CM will agree to further funding. The government has already given the airport 727 acres of land,” he stated.
Admitting that the work is getting delayed, he however said that the Covid pandemic and lockdown has caused the delay.
“However, in such a critical situation where even earthmover operators are hesitant to join the duty, we have done a better job of finishing the project on time,” he said.
To a question, he exuded confidence that the project will be completed during the present BJP government itself.
“Nobody should have any doubt about it. The project will become reality in our government itself. Since I have taken birth in a sacred place such as Bijapur, I owe a lot to this district, I will try to repay it no matter in which Ministry I am serving”, he asserted.
Deputy Commissioner, P. Sunil Kumar, SP, H. D. Anand Kumar, PWD Executive Engineer, Arun Kumar and other officials were present.
