The Karnataka Cabinet has given the green light for the development of a greenfield airport in Vijayapura, with a revised project cost of ₹618.75 crore. The approval was granted on Thursday, 18 September, marking a significant step toward strengthening regional air connectivity.
According to Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H. K. Patil, the original cost of the project, estimated at ₹347.92 crore, was revised with an additional allocation of ₹270.83 crore. The higher investment is expected to support advanced infrastructure, enabling the airport to handle larger aircraft and improved passenger facilities.
The Cabinet also reviewed environmental concerns linked to the project, signaling a balanced approach between development and sustainability.
On the subject of local body elections, Patil clarified that the government would not issue an ordinance to mandate ballot paper voting. He said existing laws already provide the option for ballot paper use, and consultations with legal experts as well as the State Election Commission (SEC) confirmed there was no need for a fresh ordinance.
Alongside the airport decision, the Cabinet also approved the setting up of three Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) plants worth a total of ₹74.88 crore. Each plant, with a cost of ₹24.96 crore, will be established at Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees in Dasanapura (Bengaluru), Kolar, and Mysuru. Operating under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, these plants will collectively generate 50 tonnes of CNG per day, contributing to the state’s cleaner energy initiatives.
