Mangalore, March 13: Expressing confidence that Mangalore Airport will get 'international' tag before December this year, Union Minister for Law and Justice M Veerappa Moily said that the number of passengers at the only airport of coastal Karnataka has been increasing with every passing year.
He was speaking after inaugurating the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Mangalore Airport organized under auspices of Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry at St Aloysius High School Auditorium here on Sunday.
“Mangalore airport should get the international airport status by year end provided the required infrastructure is put in place by that time”, Mr Moily said assuring his support for making that happen in terms of infrastructure.
He said more than 1.77 lakh passengers had travelled in the year 2005 using Mangalore Airport whereas this year the number of passengers increased to 8.5 lakhs. Among them 50 per cent are foreign nationals and hence, the Airport needed to be declared international one, he asserted.
He also said the runway can be extended to 13,000 sq feet provided the valley could be filled with earth. 250 acres of land has already been acquired for the purpose, he said.
The minister also supported the demand for the airport to be named after Ullal Srinivas Mallya, the architect of Dakshina Kannada. “Let the state government pass a resolution to this effect and send it to the centre. I will follow up at my end,'' he assured.
Regretting over the non-cooperation of 'intellectual people' of Mangalore for the development of the region Mr Moily said: “We should always think of the people, the next generation and the youth. Therefore, people should cooperate with the government to build the future as well as a mighty country.”
During 90's the undivided South Kanara was sixth potentially industrial district in the state and there was Rs 8000 crore investment. However, he said, things have been changed and people started to resist the 'progress' in the recent days.
He opined that until people's mindset is changed over progress, there would be no infrastructure development in the district. “Face the challenges which take you forward. Sacrifice and dedicate for the development of the country,” he added.
He exhorted the people to be educated and enlightened in the matter of development.
Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, who was the chief gust, said that the efforts are on to get international status for Mangalore Airport and to be named it after Mallya. He also said people of coastal region are not against the development but they protest against the 'deception' of the companies which had promised the surety for lives of the people while acquiring their lands.
Deputy Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly N Yogish Bhat said that the resolution to name airport after Mallya will be tabled in the cabinet after the current session. He said Rs 35 crore was estimated for land acquisition to extend the Bajpe airport runway and Rs 15 crore has been announced in the budget.
MR Vasudeva, Director of Mangalore Airport, said in 2002 when he appointed as Director there was Rs 4 crore revenue and Rs 6.5 crore expenditure. However it has gone up to Rs 36 crores revenue and Rs 30 crores expenditure in this year. In future, he said, looking forward for Rs 40 crore revenue plus Rs 6 crores profit in the Airport.
Earlier, KCCI Chairman GG Mohandas Prabhu submitted a memorandum demanding extension of the runway from the present 8,000 metres to 11,000 metres so that even jumbo aircraft can land and take off, international tag for Mangalore Airport, launch of air cargo complex (converting the erstwhile terminal building into cargo complex), and naming the airport after the late Mallya, the visionary of the region who was instrumental in getting the airport to Mangalore.
MLA Ramanath Rai, Corporation Bank Chairman and General Manager Ramanath Pradeep, Coordinator of Diamond Jubilee Celebration Committee K Thejomaya were also present.
Vice President of KCCI Latha R Kini compered the programme.
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