The Karnataka Government has been urged to acquire land for extending the runway of Mangalore International Airport.
In a letter to Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister Santosh Lad, copies of which were released to the media here on Friday, Union Petroleum Minister M. Veerappa Moily said that during his recent review meeting in Mangalore, he was informed that Airports Authority of India (AAI) may not be in a position to acquire the land for extending the runway.
AAI will undertake extension of runway and other allied development once the land is made available, he said.
The Airport Director has sent the preliminary technical feasibility report on the extension of the runway and other development works at the airport to Rajkumar Khatri, Principal Secretary of Infrastructure Development Department, Moily said.
Airport Director J.T. Radhakrishna told Business Line that preliminary technical feasibility report gives an overview of the project and expansion plans. The expansion of the runway would help the airport to attract bigger aircraft, he said.
The trade and industry bodies in Mangalore have been demanding the expansion of the runway from the present 2,450 metres to 3,400 metres.
However, the expansion of the runway involves filling up of a valley. To do this, around 285 acres of land will have to be acquired.
Apart from serving domestic travellers, Mangalore airport has direct connectivity to many locations in the Gulf region. Air India Express and Jet Airways operate to Gulf destinations from Mangalore.