Bengaluru, July 13: Shimoga airport is likely to become operational from August 11. Prior to this, all necessary arrangements will be made by July 20, Minister of Heavy Industries and Infrastructure Development MB Patila said on Thursday.
He spoke after holding a meeting about the progress of new airports in the state and other matters and giving instructions to the concerned officials. This will be the first airport to be operated and maintained by the state government, with flights starting next month.
Ambulance and other necessary vehicles need to be assigned to Shimoga Airport. There is also work to be done in relation to starting a coffee cafe. In addition, recruitment of some technical and non-technical staff is to be done. All these will be completed by July 20 and the airport will be ready for operation, he explained.
The Central Directorate of Civil Aviation has entrusted the operation and maintenance of the station here to the Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC). With this, Shimoga station will be the first airport in Karnataka to be run by a state government agency, he said.
12 lakh rupees revenue collection
20 flights have landed at Shimoga Airport during assembly election campaign. He said that the revenue of 12 lakh rupees has been collected due to this.
The station will be commissioned on August 11. The first flight will take off on that day. Political leaders and representatives of the district will also attend to witness this historic event. If everything goes according to plan, the flight departing from Bangalore on August 11 will land at Shimoga station.
