Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Nov 25: The long-cherished dream of having an airport in Udupi, the land of Lord Shri Krishna, has taken wings once again. The Udupi district administration has recently submitted a proposal to the state government’s Infrastructure Development Department (IDD) for the construction of an airport at Padubidri.
The proposal aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision under the ‘UDAN 1’ (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, aimed at making air travel accessible to common citizens. Following this initiative, the idea of building an airport in Udupi has been considered under the ‘UDAN 2’ scheme.
The request for the airport is also expected to be formally presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Udupi on November 28 for the grand Lakshakanta Geetha Parayana, Suvarna Teerthamantapa inauguration, and the dedication of the gold-plated Kanakana Kindi at Sri Krishna Math.
The proposed Padubidri airport site is located about 30 km from the existing Mangaluru International Airport. Since both airports fall within a 150-nautical-mile range, approval issues related to proximity are being reviewed. The proposal suggests considering Padubidri as a twin airport or Terminal 2, similar to models in Mumbai and Delhi, especially since runway expansion in Mangaluru is not feasible due to geographical constraints.
The Adani UPCL’s second-phase thermal power project in Padubidri was dropped earlier due to public opposition and environmental concerns. Currently, 546 acres of land are under the possession of KIADB, and including private and government land, a total of around 935 acres could be made available for the airport project.
The estimated cost for the proposed projects indicates a major financial contrast. In Mangaluru, runway expansion along with landfilling is expected to cost around Rs 33,000 crore, while in Padubidri, with 500 to 1,000 acres of land available, the proposed airport can be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 10,000 crore.
Once the government grants initial approval, a feasibility study will be conducted to assess the prospects, benefits, and challenges of establishing the airport at Padubidri. The project also envisions developing a tourism hub and heli-taxi services. The proposed airport is expected to boost industrial growth, tourism, and reduce travel congestion currently faced by Udupi-bound passengers using road and rail transport.
“There should be no competition but cooperation between Udupi and Mangaluru in transforming the region into an IT and industrial hub. The airport at Padubidri will generate employment and boost the local economy,” said Udupi deputy commissioner Swaroopa T K.
Former MP K Jayaprakash Hegde recalled earlier efforts, stating, “A proposal for an airport over 600 acres at Sastan’s Karkada area was once under consideration. After discussions with late district-in-charge minister Dr V S Acharya, a report was submitted suggesting Byndoor’s Ottinene as a suitable alternative. Since airbuses cannot land in Mangaluru, it remains a domestic airport, while Padubidri would be ideal for an international airport.”