Airport: 670 acres of surplus land to be auctioned

Airport: 670 acres of surplus land to be auctioned

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: The Government will auction 670 acres of surplus land acquired for the construction of the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli near here.

Chief Secretary P.B. Mahishi told presspersons on Wednesday that the Karnataka State Industrial Investment Development Corporation (KSIIDC) would auction surplus lands acquired by the Karnataka Area Industrial Development Board (KIADB). About 4,500 acres had been acquired for the airport.

Mr. Mahishi said the Government had given powers to KSIIDC to auction lands in small plots for private entrepreneurs and government departments. The Tourist Department had sought 27 acres for construction of hotels and convention centres at the airport. All private entrepreneurs would have to follow the airport authority regulations while constructing buildings, he said.

The Chief Secretary said work on the last passenger terminal commenced from May 7, a month ahead of schedule. The Government had now decided to complete work of link roads to the international airport. A six-lane highway from Bangalore would link the airport. The Government had also fixed April 2, 2008 as the tentative date for the inauguration of the airport.

Following a large number of government officials visiting foreign countries these days, Mr. Mahishi said he had asked the officials to submit detailed reports after their return. The officials had to submit reports on what they learnt from the tour and their experience, he said. The Chief Secretary said his last foreign tour was in 1984.