From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Apr 24: High Speed Rail Link from Karnataka’s capital city of Bangalore to other important cities in the State like Mangalore, Mysore, Tukur, Kolar, Hubli and Belgaum to ensure better connectivity and decongest Bangalore is one of the key features of the proposed new infrastructure policy 2014, which is being finalised.
Speaking to reporters in Bangalore on Thursday, Infrastructure and Information Minister Roshan Baig said the new infrastructure policy was aimed at attracting mega investments for implementing high speed rail links from Bangalore to other cities in the State, including Mangalore.
The State government has decided to bring out an Infrastructure Policy 2014 to attract investment in the infrastructure sector, particularly in rail, road and entertainment sectors, he said.
Baig said the new policy would be launched in the next two months.
The policy would be formulated after consultations with stakeholders and trade and industry bodies.
A convention centre would be set up near the Kempe Gowda International Airport with an investment of Rs 500 crore.
An Australian firm has shown interest to take up the project.
A total of 419 acres of land adjacent to the International Airport is available to development of a sport city and other entertainment centres.
The long-pending proposal for setting up of the film city in the State would be expedited.
He said the proposed film city project would be set up in 300 acres at Hesaraghatta, in the outskirts of the city.
Govt to acquire 84 acres for expanding Mysore Airport
As part of the plans to exploit the heritage of Karnataka’s cultural capital of Mysore and its immense tourism potential, the State government has decided to expand the Mysore Airport by acquiring 84 acres of additional land.
Infrastructure and Information Minister Roshan Baig told reporters that the government has asked the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to realign the existing road to enable the government to acquire the land.
The Airport Authority of India, which has reserved funds for expansion of the airport has made it clear to the government that it will not take up works to expand the airport until Mysore-Nanjangud stretch is realigned.
Though the existing airport in Mysore was not economically viable, it was decided to expand the airport taking into consideration future growth of the city and flow of tourists.
Baig said he would visit Delhi on April 29 for holding talks with the GMR Group and request them to withdraw their objection to operation of facilities available at Bidar airport.
''I will try to convince them to lift their objections against operation of facilities available at Bidar airport,” he said.
The GMR Group had objected to the operation of facilities at Bidar airport citing distance factor from Hyderabad Airport, he said.
The government was ready to hand over maintenance and operation of Bidar Civilian Airport facilities to the GMR Group, which operates Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.
The minister said he would meet officials of the Civil Aviation Department, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Defence Ministry and discuss various issues with regard to improving air connectivity across the state.
Work on the terminal building at Bidar airport had been completed and the government had obtained the clearances from the Civil Aviation Department and the Defence Ministry.
The Minister said the Gulbarga airport would become operational soon as the differences amongst the partners of the joint venture company Regional Airport Holdings International (Rahi) and IL&FS, had been solved.
''IL&FS has agreed to complete the project,” he said.
Rahi was granted the lead role to develop, finance and build the Gulbarga airport through a government order on February 18, 2010.