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Expedite Bajpe Airport work, Sorake urges Centre

By Our Staff Correspondent

Udupi Feb. 25. The MP, Vinaykumar Sorake, has urged the Union Government to expedite the expansion works of the Bajpe Airport near Mangalore. In a press release here, Mr. Sorake said that the expansion works, including the extension of the runway, at the airport had been going on for some time. But they not gathered pace to facilitate their timely completion, which could avoid cost escalation. Mr. Sorake said that he had raised the issue in the Lok Sabha pointing out that the State Government had spent Rs.11 crores for land acquisition and re-settlement of the displaced families. It had given the land to the Airports Authority of India. The city of Mangalore on the Western Coast served as a vast hinterland of populous towns and cities. Besides, it had a port handling cargo traffic.

The region attracted tourists in big numbers from India and abroad. Nearly 4.5 lakhs of non-resident Indians from the nearby towns worked in West Asia. Both the tourists and non-resident Indians had to change their flights at Mumbai or other places because of lack of facilities at Bajpe to receive wide-bodied aircraft such as the Airbus or the larger versions of Boeing operating on national and international sectors.

A large number of Haj pilgrims from this region visited Mecca in Saudi Arabia every year. These pilgrims were put to hardship because of transhipment at Mumbai. Kerala had three international airports generating enough passenger revenue. Bajpe had far greater revenue generating potential, if only the works were expedited.

Mr. Sorake urged the Centre not to reduce the pace of work at Bajpe for want of budgeted funds. Instead, the Union Government should avail of Contingency Plan Funds available with the Ministry of Civil Aviation meant for projects of utmost utility, the release added.

He also urged the Railways Minister, Nitish Kumar, to include the Kankanady Railway Station in Mangalore in the new South-Western Railway Zone.

Mr. Sorake said Dakshina Kannada, which was in the Mysore Division, was now a part of the South Western Railway with its zonal headquarters in Hubli.

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