Differing voices over airport project

Revanna wants original plan implemented; Preetham Gowda thinks otherwise

The construction of a greenfield domestic airport at Boovanahalli near Hassan has turned into a controversy with former Minister and JD(S) leader H.D. Revanna opposing the way the project is being implemented. He wanted it to be executed as it was planned originally about 14 years ago, while Hassan MLA Preetham Gowda of the BJP wants execution of the project with minimum use of land, considering the experts’ opinion. The State Cabinet cleared the project with an estimated cost of ₹196 crore. It has been a long-pending project. The foundation stone was laid in 2007 when H.D.Kumaraswamy was the Chief Minister. Then, it was planned as a mega project with a total investment of ₹ 1,200 crore. The project included a golf course, and hospitality facilities, besides the airport. Then, the land required for the project was estimated at 1,194.15 acres. Over the years, the government acquired 536 acres and handed it over to the private promoter, who had taken up the project on a public-private partnership model. The process for acquisition of another 446 acres was on. The firm refused to take up the project unless the total quantum of land required was handed over. During the JD(S)-Congress rule in 2018, the State government cancelled the understanding with the private party.