BELGAUM: The Rs 141 crore package by Airports Authority of India (AAI) for the overall development of the Belgaum airport at Sambra is being welcomed by industrialists and politicians, on account of limited parking facilities in the airports of Mumbai and Goa.
The airport expansion plans have gathered momentum after it received a green signal from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
The work includes increasing the length of the runway to 1,830 metres, construction of compound wall, expanding capacity of terminal building, civil and electrical works besides constructing perimeter road, drains, etc.
Airport controller Eshwarappa said the state government has allotted additional land of 370 acres besides water, electricity and security free of cost and has extended its support in every possible way.
Sources at the airport informed that the AAI has targeted May-end this year to complete the work, while the runway for Boeing planes will be made ready simultaneously.
“Once the expansion work is finished, larger aircraft with 170-200 seating capacity will begin landing at Belgaum airport,” Eshwarappa said.
“Belgaum has tremendous potential in terms of airline business due to its connectivity with all the metros. All the major airline companies have surveyed the economic viability of this airport and have given positive signals,” Eshwarappa stated.
Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member and KLES Chairperson Dr Prabhakar Kore welcomed expansion plans at the Belgaum airport.
“I had invited legends like Amitabh Bacchan and Sachin Tendulkar to Belgaum for various events. However, they declined my invitation due to lack of landing facilities for larger planes at Belgaum airport. There is tremendous scope for developing night parking facility at the airport, as there is shortage of parking space in the airports of Mumbai and Goa,” Dr Kore opined.
Sources told Herald that the existing runway at Belgaum airport is suitable for smaller planes, but added that most airline companies do not have small planes.
“Presently, the small-sized planes operating between Bangalore and Mumbai take around 70 minutes to reach their destinations. After the airport expansion, this time would be reduced to 45 minutes, while air travel is expected to be cheaper,” said the source.
