The
project to expand the Hubli airport and make it an all-weather airport of
international standards has taken a step forward with the State government
handing over 600 acres of land for the purpose.
After chairing a meeting with the Hubli Airport Consultative
Committee here on Tuesday, Pralhad Joshi, MP, told presspersons that Chairman
of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) V.P. Agarwal and Civil Aviation
Secretary K.N. Shrivastava would be coming to Hubli on January 23 to sign a
memorandum of understanding.
Mr. Joshi said the Hubli airport was being developed at a cost
of Rs. 169 crore. The State government had given 600 acres of land for free to
the AAI.
However, there had been delay in commencing work. Hence, the
meeting had been convened, he said.
Mr. Joshi said various issues like shifting the graveyard,
mobile towers and various structures on the land, and acquisition of the road
leading to Tarihal were discussed in the meeting.
He said that proposals regarding various works, including
widening of the existing runway, were before the AAI, and as soon as the issues
were solved, work would commence.
Exemption
Mr. Joshi said the AAI had sought exemption from property tax
and free supply of electricity and water to the airport. However, the State
government had asked the AAI to review these conditions. “On January 23,
Secretary to government, Infrastructure Development Department, will also
participate in the meeting to sort out these issues to make way for signing of
the MoU,” he said.
To a query, Mr. Joshi Rs. 10 crore was required for clearing the
structures on the land. A proposal for additional funds would be sent to the
government through the Deputy Commissioner. He expressed confidence that the
Chief Minister would sanction additional funds.
Virabhadrappa Halaharavi, MLA; Sameer Shukla, Deputy
Commissioner; and B.A. Padmanayan, Police Commissioner, were present.
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