Karnataka Minister Patil blames Centre's UDAN policy for Shivamogga flight suspension, says aviation policy set for Cabinet nod

Bengaluru: Karnataka's comprehensive civil aviation policy, aimed at boosting regional connectivity and strengthening airport infrastructure, will be placed before the next Cabinet meeting, Industries & Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil said on Tuesday.

The policy proposes financial assistance, viability gap funding (VGF) and a framework for efficient management of state-operated airports.

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Patil said the policy could serve as a model for other states.

Addressing concerns over the suspension of flight services from Shivamogga airport, Patil blamed shortcomings in the Centre's UDAN scheme.

He said Karnataka had proposed extending viability support under the regional connectivity programme from three years to five years, followed by five years of shared funding between the Centre and the state. The proposal, however, was not accepted.

"As a result, flight operations at 17 airports across the country have been suspended," he said.

Patil also criticised the Centre's airport management approach, alleging that Karnataka had invested heavily in creating aviation infrastructure without receiving adequate support. He noted that the state spent around Rs 1,000 crore on Kalaburagi airport before handing it over to the Centre.

Referring to BJP MP BY Raghavendra's criticism of the state government, Patil said airports at Shivamogga, Raichur and Vijayapura were being managed by the state to avoid a similar situation. He added that flight operations at Kalaburagi were revived with 80% funding from the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) and 20% from the state government, and challenged Raghavendra to secure similar support for Shivamogga airport.

Ethanol: Gadkari Responsible

On the ongoing ethanol controversy, Patil alleged that the Centre's ethanol blending programme had created a crisis for sugar mills and held Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari responsible.

He claimed ethanol production had outpaced procurement, leaving sugar factories in Karnataka and Maharashtra with surplus stock beyond their storage capacity. According to Patil, the Centre encouraged large-scale ethanol production without creating a matching procurement mechanism.

Patil also questioned criticism of the state's findings on ethanol blending, noting that fuel samples had been tested in laboratories approved by the Union government.

He reiterated his demand for a comprehensive investigation into the issue, even as Union Minister Pralhad Joshi defended the Centre's policy.

"The ethanol blending programme should have been introduced on a pilot basis in a few districts before being rolled out nationally," Patil said, alleging that abrupt implementation contributed to the current situation.