Latest


Udupi: Padubidri–Yermal airport proposal gains momentum; Centre assures support

  •   Tue, Feb 10 2026 09:47:38 PM

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Feb 10: The proposal to establish an airport near Yermal in Padubidri has gained fresh momentum, with the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation expressing readiness to support the project, subject to cooperation from the Karnataka government.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, in a letter addressed to Udupi-Chikkamagalur MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, stated that the central government would consider taking up the airport project if the state government extends necessary assistance.

The proposal was initiated following a request by Kaup MLA Gurme Suresh Shetty, after which MP Kota Srinivas Poojary submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister seeking approval for a new airport at Yermal.

In his response, the minister noted that under the UDAN scheme, the Centre is willing to support airport development and infrastructure improvement. He advised the state authorities to identify a suitable location, carry out a feasibility study, and submit a detailed proposal to the Central Government.

The minister also clarified that support would be extended in line with the Government of India’s Greenfield Airport Policy.

The Centre’s positive response has generated considerable interest and optimism across Udupi district regarding the long-pending demand for an airport in the region.

 

 
  

Top Stories

Comment on this article

  • JN, Dubai

    Thu, Feb 12 2026

    Mangalore Airport is already just 45–50 km from Padubidri, so building another airport nearby will not create any real benefit. Infrastructure like airports should not be concentrated in places that are already well connected. Instead, they must serve regions that face genuine travel and connectivity difficulties. Establishing an airport in Byndoor, near the border of Udupi district, would be far more practical and impactful. This location would provide balanced access for the entire district — about 60 km from Mangalore and 50 km from Byndoor — ensuring better regional coverage. More importantly, a Byndoor airport would help develop smaller towns, create jobs, support local businesses, and boost tourism along the coastal belt. It would also benefit people from Honnavar, Kumta, and nearby areas, who currently depend on Goa Airport for air travel. A closer airport would save significant time, cost, and effort for thousands of residents. A new airport should be planned not for the convenience of already developed areas, but for equitable growth and maximum regional impact. Byndoor clearly offers greater long-term benefits for the district and surrounding regions.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sujay Suvarna, Mumbai

    Thu, Feb 12 2026

    Mangalore airport is already running below capacity. We cant have a airport every 50kms. If the expenditure of a new airport (~ 20,000 crores) is invested upon the current airport to accommodate double aisle planes and the connectivity to the neighboring places is improved, then another airport nearby is not required.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [9] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rajesh, Kundapura

    Thu, Feb 12 2026

    Welcome this initiatives. From middle Eastern countries there are no direct flights to mangalore because of short runway and its in hill top. If padubidri airport comes it will be in the middle of both districts. MIA can use for only domestic and cargo flights. We need a long runway airport so that there will be cheaper flights from international destinations due to competition

    DisAgree Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Purushottam, Udupi

    Thu, Feb 12 2026

    Likewise the santacruze and the new Airport in Navi Mumbai is only 20 minutes apart through free way by road, so the proposed new airport at yermal would benefit people travelling from kerala to kundapura kollur and people wanting to come to udupi would welcome the move to have an airport near udupi which is a central location for Mangalore as well. Also then there are so many other factors which would benefit Udupi to develop if the infrastructure and connectivity improves in Udupi considering Manipal as well.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vasudev Shetty, Kinnigoli

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    The present airport at Bajpe is not far from the proposed new airport location. This airport itself today runs at half it’s capacity What is needed is efficient metro train connectivity from Mangalore to Kundapura and beyond

    DisAgree [5] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • K M Hegde, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    A new airport at Padubidri is not all desired.Due to heavy traffic on the national highway all the way from Mangalore to Padubidri,the time taken to travel will be more from Mangalore as also from Udipi to Padubidri.Compared to the Bajpe airport,the roads are totally free of trucks and buses.Time taken to reach airport from anywhere in Mangalore is less than half hour.Although the airport is on a hill there were only 2 accidents that too due to pilots failure and not due to heavy rains or heavy winds.A new airport will take time to build may be another 5 to 10 years.In the meanwhile MIL can be made more safer for airport users with less money.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • SJM, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    Rather than investing in a new airport, it would be more practical to develop a metro rail line from Kundapura to Mangalore, with scope for future extension. This approach would significantly reduce travel time, lower overall expenditure, and provide a sustainable long term transport solution for the region.

    DisAgree [5] Agree [29] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ananda Shetty Hiriadka, udupi

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    It is highly appreciated to go ahead with Udupi Kundapura Metro on the existing high way connecting MIA

    DisAgree [2] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'lore

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    Local trains from Puttur to Kundapur can be introduced on the existing railway line and Jokatte – Thokur stations should be developed to cater to air passengers.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • John Tauro, M'lore

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    Construction of airport at Yermal, Padubidri will go far beyond the limits of Mangalore City. It will be nearer to Udupi. What will be the name of this new airport? Logically it cannot be called MIA. Secondly this should have been done before the expansion and development of MIA. Instead it’s far better to continue developing the existing airport and to develop interior roads from airport to Udupi.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • HB, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    Improve connectivity from Bajpe airport

    DisAgree [1] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Raghav, Puttur

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    Why not airports in Sullia, Puttur , BC road , uppinangady , kukke , Dharmasthala

    DisAgree [10] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dayasharan shetty, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    We do have bus service

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Prakash, Karkala

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    Why on earth we need one more airport in yermal? What is the logic and reasoning behind it?

    DisAgree [7] Agree [28] Reply Report Abuse

  • Ash, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    The current Airport sits on a hilltop and has a tabletop runway, pilots need to be well trained while landing here. So a airport near a flat land is more suitable

    DisAgree [9] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Damodar Das, Kundapur

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    So why the govt is investing in such a dangerous and risky airport?????……Now the govt has raised it to international level and international flights are operating in MIA. Is this error on part of govt acting blind with eyes!?!?!?!?……Padubidri airport proposal is more than 60 years old and it has not moved any needle except political talk. So, either govt has to fully concentrate on building and developing Padubidri airport in much higher scale and standard than MIA and eventually scale down on MIA or clear the table top at MIA and level the ground suitable for further expansion without unevenness of the runway. Both Padubidri and MIA reshaping projects could be expensive but developing MIA is much more preferred because it has all the necessary infrastructure and it’s closer to the city and connectivity.

    DisAgree Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • Edward CM, Manipal

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    Padubidre to the airport is 33 kms. I am wondering how practical is this ?? The same money can be spent on building a 6 lane highway from Mangalore to Udupi with a connection to Bajpe. Dear Minister, think practically

    DisAgree [8] Agree [43] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rudolf Rodrigues, Mumbai-Manglore

    Wed, Feb 11 2026

    Should have been done 20 years ago; but, the feasibility study, land acquisition etc etc might take a decade!

    DisAgree [4] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vishu, DXB

    Tue, Feb 10 2026

    Hope airports dont become like city bus stands.

    DisAgree [6] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • Kiran Poojary, Bengaluru/Mangaluru

    Tue, Feb 10 2026

    Hope it will be a reality soon

    DisAgree [52] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse


Leave a Comment

Title: Udupi: Padubidri–Yermal airport proposal gains momentum; Centre assures support



You have 2000 characters left.

Disclaimer:

Please write your correct name and email address. Kindly do not post any personal, abusive, defamatory, infringing, obscene, indecent, discriminatory or unlawful or similar comments. Daijiworld.com will not be responsible for any defamatory message posted under this article.

Please note that sending false messages to insult, defame, intimidate, mislead or deceive people or to intentionally cause public disorder is punishable under law. It is obligatory on Daijiworld to provide the IP address and other details of senders of such comments, to the authority concerned upon request.

Hence, sending offensive comments using daijiworld will be purely at your own risk, and in no way will Daijiworld.com be held responsible.

You might also like