Categorical Information Service
SHIVAMOGGA: For the primary time the state authorities is considering replicating the Maharashtra mannequin for the upkeep and operation of airports which the federal government is establishing and can assemble sooner or later.
As an alternative of handing over the airports it has constructed to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the federal government is more likely to handle such airports and earn income from them. If all the pieces goes as anticipated, Shivamogga Airport, which is more likely to be inaugurated in January, would be the first airport to be managed and operated by the state authorities.
MP B Y Raghavendra advised The New Indian Categorical that the Maharashtra authorities has constituted an authority to handle and function round six to seven airports it has constructed. “We’re pondering of replicating the identical mannequin and Shivamogga airport might be the primary such airport being instantly managed by the state authorities. The state authorities has solely invested 90% of the entire development value. Therefore, the federal government desires to utilise the income generated from the airports,” he stated.
Raghavendra stated {that a} crew of officers from the state will go to Maharashtra quickly to review how the Maharashtra authorities is managing and working its airports. “The crew may even go to such airports together with the Shirdi Airport. After learning the mannequin, the state authorities will take a closing name on whether or not handy over the airport to the AAI, or get it managed by the Infrastructure Division or privatise it” he stated.
The Maharashtra authorities constituted the Maharashtra Airport Growth Firm Restricted (MADC), a particular objective car, in 2002 to plan, assemble, function and keep airports within the state.
Shivamogga Airport is being constructed at an estimated value of Rs 384 crores. It has a runway of three,200 metres which is second longest within the state after the Kempegowda Worldwide Airport at Devanahalli close to Bengaluru. Raghavendra has already requested the Ministry of Civil Aviation to think about beneath UDAN Scheme to function flights from Shivamogga to Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, Mangaluru, Tirupati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Delhi and Goa.
