Mysore airport to be operationalised by October 2008

Mysore, Aug 26 (UNI) Mysore airport will be ready for operation by October 2008, Civil Aviation Ministry Joint Secretary K N Srivatsava said today.

Talking to newspersons here after inspecting the works at Mandakali Airport, near here, he said the works were expected to be completed by January 2009. However, the flight services would begin from next year's Dasara Festivities.

He said in the first phase, two runways of 1,740 metres and 1,350 metres would be prepared to facilitate the operation of both small and big aircraft.

Works for the technical block cum control tower, fire station, parking lot and electricity sub station would also be taken up in the first phase. The airport would be developed over 416 acres.

Karnataka Infrastructure Development Principal Secretary V P Baligar, who accompanied Airpovts Authority of India (AAI) officials during inspection, said it was proposed to develop 12 airports in the state and Mysore airport was on the priority list.

It would be developed into a full-fledged airport and an additional 500 acres would be acquired and handed over to the AAI for building bigger runways to accommodate bigger aircraft.

UNI