Karjol gives hopes of Vijayapura airport’s upgradation

VIJAYAPURA: People of Vijayapura were disappointed when Rs 380 crore was earmarked for the construction of Shivamogga Airport and Rs 95 crore was sanctioned for Vijayapura airport during the recent tenure of Yediyurappa as CM. Now Irrigation Minister Govind Karjol’s assurance of getting upgradation of the Vijayapura Airport has created hopes among citizens of the district and they are eagerly waiting for next cabinet meeting to be held during Ganesh festival.
Raju V Gachinamath, co-convenor, Vijayapura Airport Horata Samiti, told TOI that Karjol’s statement has brought smile on faces of Vijayapura people. “Vijayapura MP Ramesh Jigajinagi is also taking special care of construction work” he added.
Deputy Commissioner P Sunil Kumar asserted that Karjol mentioned, during his recent visit to Airport, that the proposal of upgradation will go to finance department soon and get it approved in cabinet meeting. “Apart this, we do not have official information on this development. As for as our preparation is concerned, phase-1 work of Rs 95 crore, is going on speedy pace and tender process for phase-2 of Rs 125 crore, is also started. If Phase-3 gets approved, it will bring cargo and increase the runway and it will upgrade the Airport from ATR-72 to Airbus-320.
Close aides of Karjol said that the minister has already spoken to the chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, in turn, who has suggested Karjol to place a proposal in next cabinet meeting. However, Karjol was unavailable for the comment as he was accompanying the CM in Delhi.
Construction of Airport is going on at 727 acres of lland in Buranapura village in outskirts of Vijayapura.