PM to inaugurate Devanahalli Intl Airport on March 29-2008

Bangalore, Oct 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will dedicate to the nation the country's first ever Green field Bangalore International Airport, Devanahalli, on March 29-2008, Karnataka Infrastructure Development Secretary V P Baligar said today.

Speaking at the 'Round-Table on Bangalore's infrastructure - Connectivity to the New Bangalore International Airport' organised by Bangalore Chamber of Industries and Commerce (BCIC) here, he said that Bangalore Internationl Airport Limited (BIAL) board had requested the Prime Minister to inaugurate Rs 2400 Crore Airport.

Presenting the picture of the progress of work being undertaken to connect the roads to International Airport, Mr Baligar said that the much delayed work of Trumpet Interchange connecting state highway to airport was entrusted to BIAL itself and expressed confidence that it would be ready by December 2007.

He said that the state government has plans to construct a 35-km high-speed railway connection to International Airport from main junction in the city. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has been entrusted to submit project proposal for the Rs 3700 Crore Public, Private Participation (PPP) project which would be expected to be completed in next 4 to 5 years if approved by the state government.

The state government also proposes to build an Express Highway from outer ring road to the new airport at a cost of Rs 1000 crore.

Request for Proposal has been called and response was very much good, he added.

Mr Baligar said that to handle Cargo effectively the state owned MSIL has planned to build a Cargo Village near the new Airport and the state government has allotted 7.5 acres of land for the purpose.

UNI