The Hindu Business Line : New runway for Mangalore airport by December 2005

The Union Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation, Mr Oscar Fernandes, was apprised of the developments on the construction of new runway in a meeting with the Director, Airports Authority of India, Mangalore, Mr M.R. Vasudeva, here on Tuesday.

Mr Vasudeva told the Minister that the present runway, which has deep valley at both ends, is suitable for Boeing 737 category of aircraft. Night landing facility is not allowed on the runway because of its tabletop nature. However, the new runway could accommodate Airbus 310 category of aircraft.

Stating that the new runway is to be built at an approved cost of Rs 55.26 crore, he told the Minister that its construction has been divided into three packages.

The Minister was informed that survey work for the runway land has begun, and earth-moving machineries have been brought to the site. Samples have been submitted to the National Institute of Technology Karnataka (NITK), Surathkal, for design mix of bitumen and concrete works.

Asked about the critical issues in the construction of the new runway, Mr Vasudeva said approach road of the local inhabitants adjoining the new runway passes through the site. Following this, they are demanding alternative road. To find a solution to this problem, a requisition has been submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, Mangalore, for acquiring their land. The Minister was told that the State administration was in the process of acquiring this land under emergency clause.

However, Mr Fernandes was requested to use his good offices to speed up the work on land acquisition.

For this, the Minister said that he would discuss the issue with the State Government in Bangalore on August 5.

He will visit the new runway site on August 6, Mr Fernandes said.