Airport modernisation to be completed by December

Mysore, Feb 14 (UNI) The modernisation of Mandakalli Airport on the outskirts of the city on Mysore-Ooty road would be completed by December, Principal Secretary of Infrastructure V P Baligar said today.

Speaking to newspersons after the review meeting here, he said the works on the first phase would be completed by then and private airlines would be allowed to use the airport during Dasara festival.

The Government would supply free water and electricity to the airport for five years he said, adding that already Rs 1.43 crore had been paid to Chamundeswari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) for the purpose.

Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) were planning to draw water to the airport from the Kabini river, he said.

Mr Baligar recalled that Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram was interested in developing Mysore Airport into an International Airport.

Meanwhile, a group of farmers, whose land was acquired for the development of the airport, staged a dharna outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner, where Mr Baligar was holding the meeting.

The farmers alleged that they were paid compensation at the rate of Rs seven lakh per acre two years ago, when the market rate was Rs 35 lakh.

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