BELAGAVI
While the airport in Belagavi City has connectivity to all major destinations, the district is likely to get its second airport in the near future.
The Karnataka Industries and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) earlier this week inspected the proposed site at Yalihadagali in Athani taluka, about 120 kms from Belagavi.
The inspection was carried out at the behest of Athani BJP MLA Mahesh Kumthalli, who had submitted a proposal to the Civil Aviation authority. Accordingly, the Karnataka government has identified 200 acres of land near Athani.
“The runway of the airport will be 1,000 meters long and the airport will facilitate 20-30 seater aircraft. A report has been submitted and I am confident that it would be sanctioned soon,” MLA Kumthalli told The Goan.
Athani, Chikkodi and Raibag talukas in the district situated on the banks of Krishna river have huge stretches of fertile land. Apart from huge sugarcane yield, the region is also known for its quality grapes. Moreover, the farm yield from the neighbouring Vijaypur and Bagalkot taluka have great demand across the globe.
“We have more than a dozen sugar mills exporting sugar to almost all Asian countries. The grapes in this region are world famous and the airport will help the rapid development in the region,” Kumathalli said.
Moreover, the airport is being set up near Athani as farmers and entrepreneurs in the region are demanding better and faster connectivity to Bengaluru and metro cities across the nation.
Athani Tahasildar Suresh Munje said Chikkodi region of the district will become commercially advanced, bringing prosperity to the otherwise economically and professionally advanced region.
Athani, a remote taluka of Belagavi district, is poised to take an economic leap, when the proposed airport comes into reality.
