Bengaluru second airport: Tender floated for feasibility, strategy report, says Minister Patil
Bengaluru, Mar 20 (PTI): Karnataka Infrastructure Minister M B Patil on Friday said that the government has floated a tender to prepare a detailed feasibility and strategy report for a proposed second international airport near Bengaluru.
He said officials of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have conducted site inspections of three shortlisted locations on the city's outskirts and have flagged several aspects, including challenges associated with these sites.
Taking to social media platform 'X', the minister said that a tender has been floated to prepare a detailed strategy and feasibility report. Three to four firms have participated in the bidding process, which is expected to be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
Further decisions will be taken based on the reports submitted by these firms, he added.
"After selecting three sites, we called the AAI, and their officials visited all three locations. They pointed out the challenges at each site. To overcome and address those issues, we have called for a tender," he told reporters here.
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The state government had shortlisted three locations -- two on Kanakapura Road near Harohalli and one on Kunigal Road in Nelamangala.
"Once the report comes, including details on the challenges, we will move forward. Then we have to examine the viability of the project. This exercise is mainly to address the challenges at those sites -- such as hilly terrain and other issues that may be difficult to handle," Patil said.
Though viability is a smaller part of this stage, the minister said that ultimately, once that process is complete, the state cabinet will take a decision.
"So it is not at a final stage yet; it is still in process and will take time. The feasibility and related studies may take another three to four months or possibly more," he added.
According to him, the proposed new airport is expected to play a crucial role in meeting the rapidly growing air traffic demand in Bengaluru and in safeguarding Karnataka's long-term aviation and economic interests.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
