Karnataka plans airport in Kalyana Karnataka to serve Ballari, Vijayanagara, Koppal districts

Bengaluru: Karnataka industries minister MB Patil on Tuesday said the state government is considering building an airport in the Kalyana Karnataka region to serve people in the northern part of the state.

Responding to a starred question raised by BJP member of legislative council Y M Satish, the minister said the proposed airport would cater to residents of three districts, Ballari, Vijayanagara and Koppal.

A final decision on the project will be taken after a meeting with chief minister Siddaramaiah and public representatives from the three districts, Patil said in a statement.


The proposal to build an airport in Ballari dates back to 2010, when around 900 acres of land were acquired for the project. Construction work was awarded to Chennai-based Marg Sri Krishnadevaraya Airport Private Limited, and the land was handed over to the firm, said the statement.

However, the company failed to begin construction within the two-year period specified in the agreement, following which the contract was cancelled, said the minister. Subsequently, the government invited tenders in October last year to appoint consultants to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for the airport.

Patil said residents of Vijayanagara and Koppal districts have also been demanding an airport, but setting up separate airports in each district may not be feasible. The government is therefore exploring the possibility of developing a facility at a location that can serve all three districts.

“It is also my view that the Ballari airport should not become a white elephant,” Patil said, pointing out that airports in Kalaburagi and Bidar have struggled with low passenger traffic. He added that the state has requested the union government to extend support under the UDAN scheme, which allows passenger air travel affordable and accessible, to five years from the current three years.

“If an airport is established at a location convenient for all three districts, it would also be economically viable. A final decision will be taken only after consultations with all stakeholders,” he told the House.

Patil further said the government has held investment discussions with seven to eight companies in Vijayapura district. Among them are Campa Cola, part of the Reliance Industries group, wind energy firm Suzlon Energy, and agri processing company Viterra, which processes toor dal.

Campa Cola is set to hold the ceremony for its plant next week, while discussions with five other companies are currently underway, he added.