Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated numerous infrastructure projects nationwide through a virtual launch on Sunday. This included projects from Karnataka, and leaders from Belgaum and Hubballi witnessed the telecast of the ceremony. During the event, Mr. Modi emphasized that the Central government is actively implementing infrastructure and development projects, not just making announcements.
“The government has been working continuously for the development of the country, taking up projects like upgrading airports, construction of railway stations, expansion, doubling and electrification of railway lines and other projects such as implementation of the new education policy, PM Kisan Samman Yojana, among others,” PM added. He initiated the commencement of the construction for new terminals at 15 airports across the country, including the Sambra-based Belgaum Airport, the upgrade of Hubballi Airport, and various other projects.
Rajya Sabha member Eranna Kadadi highlighted the importance of the new airport terminal for Belgaum, the third-largest city in the state, emphasizing the need for enhanced passenger facilities in the future.
“The new terminal will offer better facilities like lifts, expanded parking and improved aircraft infrastructure. A tender has been floated for the project at an estimated cost of ₹230 crore. The new terminal will have four aero bridges, to increase handling capacity to 2,400 passengers during peak hours (1,200 arrivals and 1,200 departures). Once operational, the existing terminal will be repurposed to manage arrivals. AAI’s consultants, Landrum and Brown, say that this expansion will enable the airport to cope with a traffic demand of 2.0 million passengers per annum (mppa) until 2037,” Mr. Kadadi Said.
Mr. Kadadi mentioned that a proposal has been forwarded to the Centre for the installation of a statue of Rani Channamma in front of the airport, marking the 200th year celebrations of the First War of Kittur against the East India company. Initiatives have been initiated for the construction of a state-of-the-art ESIC hospital in Belgaum, he added.
Present at the event were MP Mangala Angadi, MLAs Asif (Raju) Sait and Abhay Patil, MLC Prakash Hukkeri, who serves as the Karnataka Government Special Representative 2 in Delhi, Mayor Savita Kamble, and officials and staff from the Airport Authority.
The Prime Minister virtually laid the foundation stone for the second terminal of Hubballi Airport on Sunday.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi stated that the terminal’s construction would conclude within two years, with a budget of ₹340 crore. He emphasized that it would accommodate the parking of 4-10 flights and serve 2,400 passengers daily, equipped with international-standard infrastructure.
In attendance during the event were MLAs Arvind Bellad, Mahesh Tenginkai, Prasad Abbayya, and M.R. Patil, along with Mayor Veena Baradwad and other dignitaries.
