Title: Need to clear the proposal of the Government of Karnataka for development of airports at Gulabarga and Hassan.
SHRI IQBAL AHMED SARADGI (GULBARGA): The State Government of Karnataka had submitted a proposal for Development of Airports at Gulbarga and Hassan to the Union Government on 22.12.2004 and requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to take up this project and complete it through Airports Authority of India. The State Government on 13.01.2005 has approved provision of land to Airports Authority of India and signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Airports Authority of India as well as to contribution of Rs. 10 crore each towards the cost of setting up new airports at Gulbarga and Hassan. Since the Airports Authority of India did not show much interest in these projects, the State Government now has agreed to enhance the Capital Grant to Rs. 20 crore each.
The Air Deccan has come forward to start air services from these airports if required infrastructure is provided. The Government of Karnataka has agreed to provide Rs.20 crore each as capital grant to Airport Authority of India.
As these airports are very important and the State Government has been pursuing for the last two to three years, I urge upon the Union Government to kindly consider the request of Karnataka Government and approve these projects at an early date.