From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Jul 6: Karnataka’s Industries Minister R V Deshpande, who called on Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju in New Delhi on Thursday, urged the Centre to give a push for enhancing regional air connectivity in the State.

Deshpande urged the Union Civil Aviation Ministry to provide the necessary support to Karnataka under the Narendra Modi government’s regional connectivity scheme (RCS) and pointed out that two airlines – Turbo Airlines and Air Odisha - have already come forward to provide air services to Mysuru, Vidyanagar (Ballari) and Bengaluru.

Improving air connectivity to tier-two cities in the State and major tourism destinations in the State will help not only tourists and the government but also ensure that Karnataka’s towns will be linked to major cities and tourist destinations in the neighbouring states.

It may be recalled that the Government of India under the RCS spelled out in the national civil aviation policy of 2016 had already identified airports in the State.

Deshpande briefed the Union Minister that many air operators have already submitted bids for starting air services from Bengaluru, Bengaluru HAL, Bidar, Hubballi, Mysuru and Vidyanagar (Ballari district) airports to unserved or under-served airports.

The locations proposed for the RCS in Karnataka are: Chikkamagaluru, Kushalanaghar, Karwar, Harihar, Ammasandra, Koppal, Bengaluru, Ballari, Bidar, Ginigera (Hospete), Hassan, Jakkur, Kolar, Mysuru (Mandakalli), Raichur, Shahabad, Vidyanagar (Vijayapura), Yadgir and Yelanhanka.

The State Government has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Union Civil Aviation Ministry for the development of the identified airports.

Deshpande assured the Union Civil Aviation Minister that the State Government would extend all possible help to ensure that Karnataka was benefitted under RCS.