An Indian Air Force military helicopter (Daniel Berehulak/Getty Images)Karnataka's Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy has requested that the helicopter training division of the Indian Air Force (IAF) be shifted from Yelahanka in Bengaluru to Mysuru airport, reports The Hindu.
Kumaraswamy in a meeting with Civil Aviation Minister Suresh Prabhu also reportedly requested the Centre to develop Mysuru airport along the lines of Pune, Srinagar and Chandigarh airports for civil and military purposes.
The request for developing Mysuru airport and providing all facilities has been made to ease the pressure on Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
Prior to Kumaraswamy urging Airports Authority of India (AAI) to permit the shifting of IAF’s helicopter base, the government of Karnataka issued a no-objection certificate for the purpos for the same.
Meanwhile, The Hindu quoted its AAI sources as being reluctant to do so as they are awaiting acquisition of 248 acres of land for expansion of Mysuru airport.
The Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board, which has been directed by the State government to acquire land, is in the process of doing so. Presently, only short-haul 70-seater flights can operate from the airport, and the extension of the runway is necessary to operate long-haul flights.
An Appeal...
Dear Reader,
As you are no doubt aware, Swarajya is a media product that is directly dependent on support from its readers in the form of subscriptions. We do not have the muscle and backing of a large media conglomerate nor are we playing for the large advertisement sweep-stake.
Our business model is you and your subscription. And in challenging times like these, we need your support now more than ever.
We deliver over 10 - 15 high quality articles with expert insights and views. From 7AM in the morning to 10PM late night we operate to ensure you, the reader, get to see what is just right.
Becoming a Patron or a subscriber for as little as Rs 1200/year is the best way you can support our efforts.