The Hindu Business Line : AAI to submit revised master plan for Hubli airport expansion

THE REVENUE MINISTER, Mr Jagadish Shettar; Mr Pralhad Joshi, MP, and officials of the Airports Authority of India inspecting development works at the Hubli Airport on Saturday. — Kiran Bakale

Hubli , June 11

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will be submitting a revised master plan for transforming the Hubli Airport into an all-weather airport within a month.

Addressing press persons at the Hubli Airport here on Saturday, after discussions with the AAI officials, Mr Jagadish Shettar, Revenue Minister, said the AAI officials will be minimising the land requirement of the residential areas for the project.

"During the visit of Mr K. Ramalingam, Regional Executive Director of Airports Authority of India, to Hubli last month, we had appealed to avoid including the residential areas as far as possible and it was decided that a joint survey would be held. The AAI team led by Mr I.N. Murthy, Deputy General Manager (Planning), has undertaken a joint survey with the officials of the Revenue Department," the Minister said.

Immediately after AAI submits the revised master plan, the Revenue Department will initiate measures for acquisition of the required land. The State Government will give the land free-of-cost , he said.

"Our efforts would be in the direction of getting `consent award', which will expedite the process of acquisition. We will also be appealing to the people to cooperate in the interest of the overall development of the region," he said.

Keeping in mind the expansion plans for the airport, the Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation and the Hubli-Dharwad Development Authority have already been asked to stop giving permission for new layouts and buildings in the areas surrounding the Hubli airport, Mr Pralhad Joshi, Member of Parliament from Dharwad South, said.

"Temporarily there will be a ban on giving building permission in the areas around the airport, until the AAI submits the revised master plan, which will clearly spell out the exact land requirement and demarcate the areas where land is required," Mr Srikar, Deputy Commissioner, said.Replying to a question, Mr I.N. Murthy, DGM (Planning), said as per the request of the State Government AAI would be submitting the revised plans for development of the Hubli Airport in a phased manner.

He clarified that the present master plan would be revised avoiding residential areas as far as possible.

"But there are certain technical requirements, which have to be followed strictly.

"According to the technical specifications an area of 1,000 metres from the end of the runway has to be kept vacant, for safety reasons.

"If residential buildings come under that area they have to be acquired and demolished," he clarified.

Mr S. Biswas, Deputy General Manager (Engineering) and M.N. Rao, DGM (Architecture), were also present.

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