Dy CM gives go-ahead for Devanahalli airport

Dy CM gives go-ahead for Devanahalli airport
The TImes of India

Bangalore: Deputy chief minister Siddaramaiah has cleared the last two pending issues which were impeding the take off of the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli.

Infrastructure secretary Vinay Kumar told The Times of India here on Tuesday: “The deputy CM cleared the state support bank guarantee and the finance department’s concurrence to renew the shareholders’ agreement on Monday. With this, there are no pending issues with the state government.’’

Following a report in The Times of India on May 26 on the two issues delaying the airport, Siddaramaiah, in the midst of the Shimoga bypoll campaign, had said he would clear them as soon as possible. Officials said: “As soon as he got back from Shimoga, in between a padayatra in Chamarajpet and returning to Shimoga, the DyCM made time to clear these two issues.’’

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) CEO Albert Brunner said the clearances had been placed before the company’s board meeting on T u e s d ay. “Everyone is happy these are through. Now we need about 14 days for the financial agreements to be completed and funds released for the start of construction, which will definitely happen within June.’’

BIAL is planning a small function to mark start of construction as soon as the financial closure is through. A big function, with representatives from the Central and state governments as well as all the consortium partners — Seimens, Unique Zurich airport and Larsen and Toubro — is expected to take place in September.